Exploring the Health, Health Behaviors, and Health Needs of Theological School Students
DESCRIPTION: Prepared for the 2025 ATS Student Data and Resources Consultation, this presentation examines health behaviors and perceived needs among theological school students in light of efforts to support holistic formation. In their survey of 430 ATS students, principal investigators Nathan T. West (University of Alaska Anchorage) and Benjamin L. Webb (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) of the North American Study of Theological School Student Health and Health Behavior—in consultation with ATS staff (Christopher M. The)—identify high levels of stress and mental health concerns alongside needs for institutional health support. Although institutions via faculty and staff may encourage healthy lifestyles, students often report limited school resources for health behavior education. The study calls for longitudinal research, stronger measurement strategies, and greater institutional capacity to address unmet health-related needs.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Student Data and Resources Consultation (2025); health behaviors; health needs; mental health; quantitative research; slide deck; student health; theological education; wellness
CITATION: West, Nathan T., Benjamin L. Webb, and Christopher M. The. 2025. "Exploring the Health, Health Behaviors, and Health Needs of Theological School Students." In Case Studies of Assessing Health and Flourishing. ATS Student Data and Resources Consultation, Pittsburgh, PA, April 3. https://www.atsformationrepository.org/resources/exploring-the-health-health-behaviors-and-health-needs-of-theological-school-students.
