In the previous article “What is the Right Thing to Do?”, we explored the topic of cognitive dissonance and how it affects young adults, particularly students at Andrews University. We delved into the signs and examples of this mental discomfort and highlighted several internal conflicts that might arise as individuals strive to align their actions with newly established values. This conflict often occurs when we have deeply ingrained beliefs inherited from our upbringing. The article also dives into some of the challenges Andrews students face in cognitive dissonance situations. We addressed participating in church activities, mental health, and the complexity of navigating self-discovery and identity formation during college years. Now, we explore several ways that the University can aid students dealing with cognitive dissonance and make it easier to find their moral compass.
Cognitive dissonance is an intricate topic, and it can be challenging for AU students to grasp when situations arise and they are in a moral conflict. This conflict can especially be tough with our relationship with church activities. Students might participate in church services because of obligation rather than genuine enthusiasm. When we experience this, it is important to reassess our nature of involvement. It is essential to ask ourselves questions and assess our behavior and actions because that will allow us to find our morals. However, some of us might find it easier to dive into this topic with other students struggling with it. For this reason, our University should encourage and open up more conversations within the church community about the diversity of spiritual journeys and how we can foster an environment where individuals can feel empowered by participating in activities alongside their beliefs. Students might realize that they might need to explore alternative ways to engage and stay in the church. It may come to some students’ attention that their spiritual gifts are not being properly utilized in their church community. In this case, a deeper exploration of their talent can enable them to understand God’s plan for them further.
Many students are going through the journey of cognitive dissonance alone. However, we do not need to go through it alone. Students might find comfort and aid if Andrews University facilitated dialogues where they address this topic. Establishing a platform within the community can provide a supportive space for students to share their struggles openly in a safe environment. This fosters understanding, empathy, and community by helping students navigate the conflict between inherited values and personal growth.
When we address cognitive dissonance, it is also essential to involve the impact on mental health, especially as Christian university students. It is important to point out that Christians in the United States are less likely to seek mental health services than non-Christians. Christian churches have a stigma that mental health is not as high of a priority as our spiritual health. But, once we get to college, we meet people, take courses, and talk to people about the importance of mental health and the interconnection that it has with our spiritual journey. We might find it hard to reach out to mental health services on campus because of cognitive dissonance. That is why the University should provide workshops, short courses, and resources addressing the interconnection of cognitive dissonance and mental well-being. When both cognitive dissonance and mental health are connected, it can empower students to seek support without the burden of conflicting beliefs.
When we explore the topic of cognitive dissonance and its impact on students at Andrews, I hope this article shed some light on the intricate challenges we face during the journey of self-discovery. Bringing up our experiences and struggles with cognitive dissonance in the involvement of church activities will allow us to reassess and open dialogues. Andrews University can play a pivotal role in aiding students through this complex process by encouraging conversations about diverse spiritual journeys, exploring alternative engagement strategies, and ensuring that our spiritual gifts are correctly being utilized within the church community.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.