Spirituality, ReligionSpirituality, Religion & Youth Development & Youth Development

Pamela Ebstyne King, Ph.D., M.Div.

Center for Research on Child & Adolescent Development

Fuller Theological Seminary

Pamela Ebstyne King, Ph.D., M.Div.

Center for Research on Child & Adolescent Development

Fuller Theological Seminary

1) Overview of study of spirituality, religion, and youth development

2) As a resource for identity development

3) As a resource for social capital

4) As helpful or hindering resource of development

1) Overview of study of spirituality, religion, and youth development

2) As a resource for identity development

3) As a resource for social capital

4) As helpful or hindering resource of development

Spirituality & Youth Spirituality & Youth Spirituality & Youth Spirituality & Youth

Spirituality is

gaining increased

attention within

the academic and

public spheres

Increased publications and research

Spirituality is

gaining increased

attention within

the academic and

public spheres

Increased publications and research

Spirituality, Religion, and PsychologySpirituality, Religion, and PsychologySpirituality, Religion, and PsychologySpirituality, Religion, and Psychology

G. Stanley Hall (1904) wrote that religious awakenings or conversion was a “natural, normal, universal, and necessary…” part of adolescents (p. 301).

This view was rejected by 20th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982) .

G. Stanley Hall (1904) wrote that religious awakenings or conversion was a “natural, normal, universal, and necessary…” part of adolescents (p. 301).

This view was rejected by 20th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982) .

Revival of InterestRevival of InterestRevival of InterestRevival of Interest

1. Polls demonstrate that spirituality and religion are important to significant number of adults and youth in America

2. Sociologists document new and growing trends in American spirituality and religiosity

3. Religious institutions playing increased civic role

4. Spiritual and/or religious youth report better developmental outcomes

1. Polls demonstrate that spirituality and religion are important to significant number of adults and youth in America

2. Sociologists document new and growing trends in American spirituality and religiosity

3. Religious institutions playing increased civic role

4. Spiritual and/or religious youth report better developmental outcomes

Revival of Interest in Spirituality & ReligionRevival of Interest in Spirituality & ReligionRevival of Interest in Spirituality & ReligionRevival of Interest in Spirituality & Religion

Gallup poll of youth ages 13-17 (gathered 1988-1998)

95% believe in God or universal spirit

75% agree “very much" or agree "somewhat" with the statement “I try to follow the teachings of my religion”

74% pray frequently or occasionally

Gallup poll of youth ages 13-17 (gathered 1988-1998)

95% believe in God or universal spirit

75% agree “very much" or agree "somewhat" with the statement “I try to follow the teachings of my religion”

74% pray frequently or occasionally

Spirituality and Developmental OutcomesSpirituality and Developmental OutcomesSpirituality and Developmental OutcomesSpirituality and Developmental Outcomes

Acts as buffer against risk behaviors:

Substance abuse

Delinquency

Violence

Early onset of sexual activity

Acts as buffer against risk behaviors:

Substance abuse

Delinquency

Violence

Early onset of sexual activity

Promotes the presence of thriving:

Academic competence

Coping with stress

Meaning and purpose

Prosocial values

Caring

Volunteer service

Promotes the presence of thriving:

Academic competence

Coping with stress

Meaning and purpose

Prosocial values

Caring

Volunteer service

Spirituality and religion as distinct but Spirituality and religion as distinct but overlapping constructs overlapping constructs Spirituality and religion as distinct but Spirituality and religion as distinct but overlapping constructs overlapping constructs

SpiritualitySpirituality ReligionReligion

SpiritualitySpiritualitySpiritualitySpirituality

Considered divine, holy, or beyond the material

A universal human capacity or a quality of a person’s character, personality, or disposition with tendencies towards transcendence or connectedness beyond the self

Related to a manner of living that is carried out with the deep awareness of self, others, and divine

Awareness of other yields a sense of meaning or purpose in life that provides direction or guidance often at an existential level.

Considered divine, holy, or beyond the material

A universal human capacity or a quality of a person’s character, personality, or disposition with tendencies towards transcendence or connectedness beyond the self

Related to a manner of living that is carried out with the deep awareness of self, others, and divine

Awareness of other yields a sense of meaning or purpose in life that provides direction or guidance often at an existential level.

Spirituality often promotes a heightened consciousness of others that triggers a sense of self that is intertwined and responsible to others.

An emotional orientation towards other that serves as a motivational force, propelling individuals to care for others and contribute to something greater than themselves.

Spirituality often promotes a heightened consciousness of others that triggers a sense of self that is intertwined and responsible to others.

An emotional orientation towards other that serves as a motivational force, propelling individuals to care for others and contribute to something greater than themselves.

ReligionReligionReligionReligion

“An organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols designed

(a) to facilitate closeness to the sacred or transcendent (God, higher power, or ultimate truth/reality) and

(b) to foster an understanding of one’s relationship and responsibility to others in living together in community” (Koenig, McCullough, and Larson, 2001, p. 18)

“An organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols designed

(a) to facilitate closeness to the sacred or transcendent (God, higher power, or ultimate truth/reality) and

(b) to foster an understanding of one’s relationship and responsibility to others in living together in community” (Koenig, McCullough, and Larson, 2001, p. 18)

Religion, Spirituality & IdentityReligion, Spirituality & IdentityReligion, Spirituality & IdentityReligion, Spirituality & Identity

Central to the developmental task of adolescence is identity development

Affirm sense of uniqueness

Locate them with something greater than self

Central to the developmental task of adolescence is identity development

Affirm sense of uniqueness

Locate them with something greater than self

Religion & Identity Development Religion & Identity Development Religion & Identity Development Religion & Identity Development

Ideological Context

Social Context

Spiritual Context

Ideological Context

Social Context

Spiritual Context

As Ideological ContextAs Ideological ContextAs Ideological ContextAs Ideological Context

Religious traditions provide an ideological context in which a young person can generate a sense of meaning, order, and place in the world that is crucial to identity formation (Erikson, 1968).

Religious traditions provide an ideological context in which a young person can generate a sense of meaning, order, and place in the world that is crucial to identity formation (Erikson, 1968).

As Ideological ContextAs Ideological ContextAs Ideological ContextAs Ideological Context

BeliefsBeliefs

ValuesValues

Moral CodesMoral Codes

Personal Personal BeliefBelief

System/System/

WorldviewWorldview

IdentityIdentity

MeaningMeaning

OrderOrder

Place in worldPlace in world

As Social ContextAs Social ContextAs Social ContextAs Social Context

Exemplifies these principles and behavioral norms in historical events and actual lives (Erikson, 1964, 1965)

Role models

Intergenerational relationships

Network closure

Experiences (leadership and service)

Exemplifies these principles and behavioral norms in historical events and actual lives (Erikson, 1964, 1965)

Role models

Intergenerational relationships

Network closure

Experiences (leadership and service)

Spiritual ContextSpiritual ContextSpiritual ContextSpiritual Context

Affirmation of Uniqueness

Connection to

supernatural, human, or natural other

Ritual

Spiritual Practices

Affirmation of Uniqueness

Connection to

supernatural, human, or natural other

Ritual

Spiritual Practices

Affirms the Uniqueness of the IndividualAffirms the Uniqueness of the IndividualAffirms the Uniqueness of the IndividualAffirms the Uniqueness of the Individual

Affirms and celebrates the uniqueness and giftedness of an individual

Child of God factor

Covenant people of God

Affirms and celebrates the uniqueness and giftedness of an individual

Child of God factor

Covenant people of God

Spirituality through connection to others Spirituality through connection to others Spirituality through connection to others Spirituality through connection to others

Part of community of past, present, and future body of believers

Giving youth a profound sense of being a part of something greater than themselves

Part of community of past, present, and future body of believers

Giving youth a profound sense of being a part of something greater than themselves

Spirituality through CreationSpirituality through CreationSpirituality through CreationSpirituality through Creation

Identity as part of created order

Perspective

Stewardship of environment

Identity as part of created order

Perspective

Stewardship of environment

Spirituality through ritualsSpirituality through ritualsSpirituality through ritualsSpirituality through rituals

Experiences of transcendence through ritual

Worship practices

Rights of passage

Spiritual Practices

Meditation, prayers, fasting, service

Experiences of transcendence through ritual

Worship practices

Rights of passage

Spiritual Practices

Meditation, prayers, fasting, service

Religion & IdentityReligion & IdentityReligion & IdentityReligion & Identity

IdeologyIdeology

SpiritualitySpirituality

Social InfluencesSocial InfluencesIdentity/Fidelity

Religion & IdentityReligion & IdentityReligion & IdentityReligion & Identity

IdeologyIdeology

SpiritualitySpirituality

Social InfluencesSocial InfluencesFidelity/Identity

Thriving

How does religion influence positive How does religion influence positive development?development?How does religion influence positive How does religion influence positive development?development?

Religion Thriving

Religion & Social CapitalReligion & Social CapitalReligion & Social CapitalReligion & Social Capital

Religion Moral Outcomes

Social Capital

Do religious youth have more social Do religious youth have more social capital?capital?Do religious youth have more social Do religious youth have more social capital?capital?

Social Social InteractionInteraction

Shared VisionShared Vision

TrustTrustReligion

American SampleAmerican SampleAmerican SampleAmerican Sample

1524 students total

53% female

Ages from 13-19, M = 15.89

Racially diverse

27% Hispanic

23% African-American

21% Caucasian

13% Asian

8% Mixed Race

8% Other

1524 students total

53% female

Ages from 13-19, M = 15.89

Racially diverse

27% Hispanic

23% African-American

21% Caucasian

13% Asian

8% Mixed Race

8% Other

American FindingsAmerican Findings

1011121314151617181920

SocialInteraction

Trust Shared Vision

Attenders

SometimesAttenders

Non-Attenders

1011121314151617181920

SocialInteraction

Trust Shared Vision

Attenders

SometimesAttenders

Non-Attenders

Religiously active youth will report higher levels of social capital resources than nonreligious youth.

Religiously active youth will report higher levels of social capital resources than nonreligious youth.

Social Social InteractionInteraction

Shared VisionShared Vision

TrustTrustMoral

OutcomesReligion

Social Capital ResourcesSocial Capital ResourcesSocial Capital ResourcesSocial Capital Resources

ParentParentTrustTrust

ParentParentParentParent AdultAdultAdultAdult FriendFriendFriendFriend

Trust Trust Trust Trust AdultTrust

FriendFriendTrustTrust

ParentParent Social Interaction Social Interaction

Social Social Interaction Interaction Social Social Interaction Interaction

Friend Social Interaction

AdultAdultSocial Interaction Social Interaction

Parent Shared Vision

Shared Shared Vision Vision Shared Shared Vision Vision

AdultAdultShared Vision Shared Vision

FriendFriendShared Vision Shared Vision

Spirituality & Religion Gone AwrySpirituality & Religion Gone AwrySpirituality & Religion Gone AwrySpirituality & Religion Gone Awry

OtherOther

SelfSelf

OptimalOptimal

Cult/Cult/OppressiveOppressive

NarcissisticNarcissistic

BereftBereft