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Is belief in God related to differences in adolescents' psychological functioning?
Huuskes, Lee M. Heaven, Patrick C. L. Ciarrochi, Joseph Parker, Philip Caltabiano, Nerina
Huuskes, Lee M.
Heaven, Patrick C. L.
Ciarrochi, Joseph
Parker, Philip
Caltabiano, Nerina
Abstract
Many studies have documented links between positive psychological functioning and religiousness during the adolescent years, but very few have contrasted religious and nonreligious youth. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in psychological functioning among adolescent atheists, agnostics, and believers using a profile analysis approach. The authors conducted a survey of Grade 8 students (N = 1,925) enrolled in Catholic schools in two Australian states. The survey included 10 measures of psychological functioning, broadly divided into three categories (positive adjustment, social well-being, and negative outcomes). Results indicated that belief in God was related to distinct profiles of psychological adjustment. The implications of these findings for understanding how differing value systems are related to particular developmental stages are discussed.
Keywords
religious belief, adolescence, mental health, atheism
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Book
Volume
55
Issue
1
Page Range
40-53
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Files
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Open
Controlled
Controlled