Relational, Intentional, and Self-Transcendent: College Men's Conceptualizations of Faith and Contextual Influences

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Abstract

Based on a grounded theory study of 12 Christian college men across two universities in the Northeast (one faith-based, one secular), a model of college men’s conceptualizations of faith is proposed in this paper. Participants associated faith with three overarching themes: 1) being relational, 2) being intentional, and 3) self-transcendence. Contextual factors that influenced these meanings are reflected in the model. Grounded in the model, directions for future research and recommendations for supporting the faith development of college men are provided.

Author

• Daniel Zepp, Boston College