spirituality, religion & youth development pamela ebstyne king, ph.d., m.div. center for...
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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This view was rejected by 20th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982) .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This view was rejected by 20th century scientific psychologists such as Thorndike and Watson, who looked on Hall as an outdated 19th century scholar (Siegel & White, 1982) .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 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