Spirituality and Adolescent Development

Abstract

A nuanced understanding of spiritual development considers a young person's experience with the sacred or transcendent and consequential personal transformation, both attitudinal and behavioral, that may or may not be connected to religious traditions. However, when pursued within a social network, spirituality can provide an abundance of additional resources otherwise unavailable through lone pursuit. Relational developmental systems perspectives are sensitive to this interconnection as well as the various sociocultural influences during adolescence that can contribute to spiritual growth over time. Ideological, social, and transcendent resources in particular play prominent roles within spiritual contexts and influence the development of identity, purpose, values, and meaning systems that motivate action. Further, the concept of reciprocating spirituality posits that just as others influence adolescents in their spiritual development, adolescents also influence those around them. In this way, spirituality may contribute to positive and negative outcomes during this pivotal period of development.