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An Examination of Personal Health Promotion and Curricular Coverage of Health at US Seminary Schools

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Abstract

Seminary schools train clergy members, who have significant influence on the health-related environment of their faith-based organizations. The purpose of this study was to examine health promotion in seminary schools, including curriculum coverage of health-related topics. This cross-sectional, mixed methods study used print and online surveys. Seminary schools (n = 57) self-reported approaches to health and health-related curriculum. Most schools emphasized the inclusion of health in clerical practice, and healthy behaviors among students, and covered holistic views of health and self-care issues within their curriculum. This study provides insight into how seminary schools are training future generations of clergy on health-related topics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 268R Recreation Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Melissa Bopp

  2. Department of Health Sciences, Saginaw Valley State University, Health and Human Services 203, Saginaw, MI, 48710, USA

    Meghan Baruth

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  1. Melissa Bopp
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  2. Meghan Baruth
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Correspondence to Melissa Bopp.

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Bopp, M., Baruth, M. An Examination of Personal Health Promotion and Curricular Coverage of Health at US Seminary Schools. J Relig Health 56, 669–682 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0315-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0315-7

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