Spiritual well-being and lifestyle choices in adolescents: a quantitative study among Afrikaans-speaking learners in the North West Province of South Africa

Abstract

Objective: This article reports on an investigation into the connection between spirituality and the lifestyle choices of adolescents in the North West Province of South Africa. Method: An examination of the theoretical connections between these two entities in the lives of adolescents was followed by a quantitative study in which a questionnaire consisting of an adapted version of the Youth Risk Behaviour Survey and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale was used. Results: The empirical investigation shows that a significant correlation exists between the two variables and it appears that spiritual well-being can have a positive influence on the lifestyle choices made by adolescents. Conclusion: Further research must be carried out to assess the impact of spirituality on risk behaviours and lifestyle choices.