Exploratory Factor Analysis of Influences on Social Integration and Religious Practice Among Catholic Students: Evidence from Hanoi- Vietnam

Abstract

The study contributes to the existing knowledge by introducing how various factors determine religious commitment and practices among Catholic students in Hanoi, Vietnam, an under-studied region in academic literature. In this gap, the research study investigates the impact of social support networks, cultural identity, educational environment, and social integration on the students’ religiosity. The study method is justified, as the researcher employed a well-constructed questionnaire based on previous literature and expert consultations. Thus, the collected data from a stratified random sample of 200 university students in Hanoi over 2020-2022 was analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The study's findings show a positive relationship between social support networks, cultural identity, educational environment, and the dependent variable of religious commitment to the students. Moreover, there is a positive relationship between the dependent and independent variables, as noted in the first significant correlation. These results help bridge the gap and provide practical implications for educators and religious leaders in approaching Vietnamese youth. This can assist their overall spiritual health and help them engage effectively in religious and educational practices in Vietnamese society.