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view was rejected by 20 th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19 th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982).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view was rejected by 20 th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19 th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982).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

Spirituality and religion as distinct but overlapping constructs Spirituality Religion

SpiritualitySpirituality  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.

ReligionReligion  “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 & 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  Ideological Context  Social Context  Spiritual Context  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 BeliefsValues Moral Codes PersonalBeliefSystem/WorldviewIdentityMeaningOrder 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)  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  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  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  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  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  Experiences of transcendence through ritual  Worship practices  Rights of passage  Spiritual Practices  Meditation, prayers, fasting, service

Religion & Identity Ideology Spirituality Social Influences Identity/ Fidelity

Religion & Identity Ideology Spirituality Social Influences Fidelity/ Identity Thriving

How does religion influence positive development? ReligionThriving

Religion & Social Capital ReligionMoral Outcomes Social Capital

Do religious youth have more social capital? SocialInteraction Shared Vision Trust Religion

American Sample  1524 students total  53% female  Ages from 13-19, M =  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 =  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.

SocialInteraction Shared Vision Trust Moral Outcomes Religion

Social Capital Resources ParentTrust ParentParent AdultAdultFriendFriend TrustTrust Adult TrustFriendTrust Parent Social Interaction Social Interaction SocialInteractionSocialInteraction Friend Social InteractionAdult Parent Shared Vision SharedVisionSharedVision Adult Friend

Spirituality & Religion Gone Awry Other Self Optimal Cult/Oppressive Narcissistic Bereft