Psychological change before and after religious conversion and deconversion

Abstract

ObjectiveTheory and anecdotal evidence suggest that people undergo psychological changes before and after religious conversion and deconversion. Yet, existing research provided inconclusive evidence. Here, we examined psychological change before, during, and after institutional conversion and deconversion in a large‐scale longitudinal study.MethodWe used 11‐wave longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of Dutch adults (N ~ 20,000) to assess changes in religious beliefs and practices, personality traits, and well‐being before, during, and after conversion to and deconversion from Christianity.ResultsConverts (N = 181) increased in service attendance and prayer, but not in their belief in God, as they approached conversion. Deconverts (N = 450) declined in religious beliefs and practices before, during, and after deconversion. In terms of personality, converts displayed small, unexpected declines in emotional stability, extraversion, and agreeableness at time of conversion. Deconverts declined in agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness at time of deconversion. Neither group showed changes in their well‐being.ConclusionThe present findings suggest that psychological changes during religious conversion and deconversion are generally small and mostly manifest as changes in people's religious beliefs and practices. Findings are discussed in the context of person‐religion fit, meaning‐making, and sociocultural motive perspectives on religious change.

The phenomenon of religious conversion in Kazakhstan and its influence on personality formation

“…The significant focus of interest pertains to the contrast in psychological changes occurring before and after religious conversion and deconversion. In a comprehensive longitudinal study conducted by W. Bleidorn et al (2023), an examination was carried out on the psychological transformations experienced by a nationally representative sample of Dutch adults during the stages leading up to, during, and following institutional conversion and deconversion. The study's findings revealed that individuals who underwent conversion exhibited an increase in their engagement with religious activities such as attending services and praying, although their belief in God remained largely unchanged as they approached conversion.…”