A Holistic Christian Perspective on Wellness for College Students - A Qualitative Analysis
Abstract
Aim: This study sought to explore the impact of a Christ-centered, holistic wellness course on college-aged students’ understanding of key wellness principles. The goal was to gain insight into how students comprehend and apply these principles considering their spiritual and personal development.
Background: Wellness education for undergraduate students is both timely and essential, especially within Christian higher education, where nurturing the whole person is a core value. A common misconception is that wellness pertains only to physical and mental health. However, Scripture affirms that human flourishing involves a harmony of body, mind, and spirit. A holistic, biblically informed approach to wellness empowers students to faithfully navigate the many stressors and responsibilities they face in their academic, relational, and spiritual lives.
Methods: A total of 32 students enrolled in an interdisciplinary inquiry course on holistic wellness participated in both pre-course and post-course surveys to assess their understanding of wellness and its practical application in their lives. Responses to scaled survey questions were averaged, while open-ended responses were analyzed using inductive content analysis to identify emerging themes.
Results: Findings suggest that students increasingly recognized wellness as a multifaceted, God-honoring pursuit that encompasses spiritual, emotional, vocational, intellectual, environmental, and social dimensions. Students demonstrated growth in understanding how these areas intersect and reflect the biblical call to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Conclusion: College students exhibit a deep interest in wellness education that acknowledges their spiritual identity and calling. These findings underscore the importance of continued research and curriculum development in Christian higher education to better equip students for lives of faithful stewardship, purpose, and well-being.
Keywords:
- Keyword: wellness
- Keyword: interdisciplinary
- Keyword: holistic
- Keyword: college students
- Keyword: mental health
How to Cite:
Jurgens, S. L., Majewski, D. & Clevering, J., (2026) “A Holistic Christian Perspective on Wellness for College Students - A Qualitative Analysis”, Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies 9(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7290/jcskls094yv0
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