Analysis of Relationship between Character Strength and Religiosity of University and Madrassa Students

This study explores the religiosity and character strength amongst university and madrassa students in Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, the study determined the relationship between character strength and religiosity of madrassa and university students. The convergent mixed-method research design was applied for the study. The survey sample consists of 896 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. This sample includes 640 students (320 from universities and 320 from madrassas) and 256 teachers/heads of institutions (128 from universities and 128 from madrassas). The researcher used two instruments to gather data from the participants. Two research questionnaires were developed that included sixty items in a survey format. At the same pattern, the semi-structured interview schedule contains 14 open-ended questions regarding character strength/religiosity was composed. The views of teachers and heads of departments/institutions were acquired through a semi-structured interview schedule to determine the role of these institutions in developing religiosity and promoting character strength among students. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical procedures i.e. Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis and mean scores. A significant and strong relationship between character strength and religiosity is reported, which leads to the fact that an increase in students’ religiosity may increase their character strength and vice versa. Religiosity was significantly associated with a large number of character strengths of students. The present study found a positive and statistically strong relationship between the character strength and religiosity of students. The study recommends extensive and comprehensive research covering public and private universities and madrassas.