Religiosity in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Implications for Identity Formation

Abstract

Based on previous correlations between religiosity and descriptions of character traits related to meaning and purpose in life described by Gladding, et al. in 1981, this study hypothesized significant differences in religiosity scores as a function of age. Variables of religious group and gender were also included. Subjects included 147 adolescents and young adults, 70 males and 77 females, largely Caucasian, attending fundamental, moderate, and liberal churches in Central and Northwest Arkansas. A 3 x 3 x 2 analysis of variance yielded significant main effects for age group and religious group but not gender. No interactions were found. Findings suggest relationships between religiosity and identity formation during adolescence.

Ethnic and Gender Variation in Religious Involvement: Patterns of Expression in Young Adulthood

“…There were 9% members in the involved group ( N = 72) and 16% in the high religiosity group ( N = 131). The new group that emerged when the participants were 30 years old was the spiritual - not religious group (Fuller 2001). This new group comprised 7% of the sample.…”

“…This new group comprised 7% of the sample. According to Fuller (2001), “spiritual but not religious” individuals pick and choose elements from a variety of beliefs and practices as they construct an individualized spirituality. They do not ascribe to a single form of organized religion.…”

“…Those studies that have addressed age have shown that young adults are more likely to consider themselves to be spiritual, but are less likely to participate in organized religious services or activities (Shahabi et al 2002). Glover (1996) and Becker and Hofmeister (2001) explain that some changes in religious involvement are associated with societal expectations about maturity and adulthood. For example, organized religious participation has been shown to be greater when young adults have children than when they do not.…”