The spiritual needs of university youth and religious education

Today's university students face the multifaceted challenges of modern life, including individualization, the search for meaning, and identity confusion. This necessitates a renewed focus on young people's spiritual needs. Spirituality is seen as a crucial element of support in adding meaning to one's life, establishing inner balance, and coping with challenging life events. In this context, religious education and spiritual counseling stand out as two key areas that support young people's identity development and spiritual well-being. This study aims to explore the spiritual needs of university students and examine the impact of religious education on their individual and social lives. Conducted within a qualitative research design, the study utilized semi-structured interviews with 19 female students residing in a dormitory affiliated with Yalova University. The data collected were analyzed through thematic analysis and categorized under relevant themes. Research findings have shown that religious education plays a decisive role in students' behaviors and thoughts in their daily lives. Religious concepts such as supplication, prayer, and trust in God have been found to provide psychological relief, improve stress-coping skills, and increase inner peace. Religious education guides individuals' moral decision-making processes and reinforces values such as conscientious responsibility, social sensitivity, and philanthropy. Spiritual advisors provide both religious counseling and guidance, as well as psychosocial support, increasing students' sense of belonging, confidence, and religious awareness. Processes of questioning and spiritual crisis are often transformed into positive experiences through worship, social support, and surrender. Religious education has a powerful impact on university students' emotions, behaviors, and values. Keywords: Religious education, Spiritual counseling, University youth, Spiritual need