Toward a New Measure for Faith and Civic Engagement: Exploring the Structure of the FACE Scale

Abstract

Civic and political engagement may encourage individuals to make positive societal contributions and thus act as responsible and productive citizens. A positive relationship between civic/political engagement and the extent of one's faith-based beliefs and behaviors has been the basis for a growing field of research (e.g., Becker & Dhingra, 2001 Becker, P. and Dhingra, P. 2001. Religious involvement and volunteering: Implications for civil society. Sociology of Religion, 62: 315–355. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Chickering, 2006 Chickering, A. W. 2006. Strengthening spirituality and civic engagement in higher education. Journal of College & Character, 8(1): 1–5. [Google Scholar]; Dalton, 2006 Dalton, J. C. 2006. Community service and spirituality: Integrating faith, service, and social justice at DePaul University. Journal of College & Character, 8(1): 1–9. [Google Scholar], King, 2008 King, P. E. 2008. “Spirituality as fertile ground for positive youth development”. In Positive youth development and spirituality: From theory to research, 55–73. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Foundation Press. R. M. Lerner, R. W. Roeser, & E. Phelps [Google Scholar]; Uslaner, 2002 Uslaner, E. M. 2002. Religion and civic engagement in Canada and the United States. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41(2): 239–254. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Higher education programs that encourage students’ exploration and expression of faith/spirituality may promote a favorable attitude concerning civic engagement (Chickering, 2006 Chickering, A. W. 2006. Strengthening spirituality and civic engagement in higher education. Journal of College & Character, 8(1): 1–5. [Google Scholar]). Two studies addressed the relationship between civic/political engagement and faith-based perceptions and behaviors among university students (Study 1: n = 762; Study 2: n = 955). Study 1 ran an exploratory factor analysis on a 20-item Faith and Civic Engagement (FACE) scale and Study 2 replicated the factor structure through confirmatory factor analysis. Results identified five reliable and valid subscales: civic engagement, faith life, political importance, (target university) influences spiritual growth, and (target university) influences personal growth.