Does Teachers’ Spirituality Make a Difference? The Explanatory Value of Spirituality and Religiosity for Teachers’ Professional Beliefs on Teaching and Learning

Penthin M, Christ A, Kröner S, Pirner M, Scheunpflug A (2023)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Religion & Education Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group

Book Volume: 50

Pages Range: 159-190

Journal Issue: 2-3

URI: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/mauxh

DOI: 10.1080/15507394.2023.2185051

Abstract

While it is often theoretically presumed that religious and spiritual beliefs are important determinants for teachers’ professional thinking and acting, there is only scarce empirical evidence of this. Using structural equation modeling to explain professional beliefs about teaching and learning among N = 1,441 German schoolteachers, our study yielded virtually no explanatory value for religiosity, but certainly one for non-transcendet spiritual beliefs as predictors. Our research results differ from findings in some studies from the U.S. that showed substantial correlations between teachers’ religious and professional beliefs. Some possible reasons are reflected in the discussion section.Highlights Teachers’ religiosity and spirituality are weakly related to professional beliefs. “Connectedness with oneself” explains the sense of professional self-efficacy. “Connectedness with others” explains an idealistic self-concept. “Connectedness with others” explains student-centered attitudes. Control variables/factors explain teachers’ professional beliefs to some extent.

Authors with CRIS profile

Marcus Penthin Lehrstuhl für Religionspädagogik und Didaktik des Evangelischen Religionsunterrichts Alexander Christ Lehrstuhl für Empirische Bildungsforschung Stephan Kröner Lehrstuhl für Empirische Bildungsforschung Manfred Pirner Lehrstuhl für Religionspädagogik und Didaktik des Evangelischen Religionsunterrichts

Related research project(s)

Religiöse und berufsbezogene Überzeugungen von Lehrkräften (RebeL) (RebeL) Sept. 1, 2018 - Aug. 31, 2021

Involved external institutions

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Penthin, M., Christ, A., Kröner, S., Pirner, M., & Scheunpflug, A. (2023). Does Teachers’ Spirituality Make a Difference? The Explanatory Value of Spirituality and Religiosity for Teachers’ Professional Beliefs on Teaching and Learning. Religion & Education, 50(2-3), 159-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/15507394.2023.2185051

MLA:

Penthin, Marcus, et al. "Does Teachers’ Spirituality Make a Difference? The Explanatory Value of Spirituality and Religiosity for Teachers’ Professional Beliefs on Teaching and Learning." Religion & Education 50.2-3 (2023): 159-190.

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