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Spirituality, Religion & Youth Development 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 Spirituality & Youth Spirituality is gaining increased attention within the academic and public spheres Increased publications and research Spirituality, 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This view was rejected by 20th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982) . Revival 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 Revival 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 Spirituality and Developmental Outcomes Acts as buffer against risk behaviors: Promotes the presence of thriving: Substance abuse Academic competence Delinquency Coping with stress Violence Meaning and purpose Early onset of sexual activity Prosocial values Caring Volunteer service Spirituality and religion as distinct but overlapping constructs Spirituality Religion Spirituality 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. Religion “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 & Identity Central to the developmental task of adolescence is identity development Affirm sense of uniqueness Locate them with something greater than self Religion & Identity Development Ideological Context Social Context Spiritual Context As 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). As Ideological Context Beliefs Values Personal Belief System/ Moral Codes Worldview Meaning Identity Order Place in world As 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) Spiritual Context Affirmation of Uniqueness Connection to supernatural, human, or natural other Ritual Spiritual Practices Affirms the Uniqueness of the Individual Affirms and celebrates the uniqueness and giftedness of an individual Child of God factor Covenant people of God 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 Spirituality through Creation Identity as part of created order Perspective Stewardship of environment Spirituality through rituals Experiences of transcendence through ritual Worship practices Rights of passage Spiritual Practices Meditation, prayers, fasting, service Religion & Identity Ideology Social Influences Spirituality Identity/ Fidelity Religion & Identity Ideology Social Influences Spirituality Fidelity/ Identity Thriving How does religion influence positive development? Religion Thriving Religion & Social Capital Social Capital Religion Moral Outcomes Do religious youth have more social capital? Social Interaction Religion Trust Shared Vision American 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 American Findings Religiously active youth will report higher levels of social capital resources than nonreligious youth. 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Attenders Sometimes Attenders Non-Attenders Social Interaction Trust Shared Vision Social Interaction Religion Trust Shared Vision Moral Outcomes Social Capital Resources Parent Social Parent Interaction Social Interaction Trust Shared Vision Adult Friend Adult Social Interaction Friend Social Interaction Parent Trust Adult Trust Friend Trust Parent Shared Vision Adult Shared Vision Friend Shared Vision Spirituality & Religion Gone Awry Self Narcissistic Optimal Other Bereft Cult/ Oppressive