We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
"SPIRITUAL, BUT NOT RELIGIOUS:" THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL DIVORCE ON THE RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL IDENTITIES OF YOUNG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
- Authors
Zhai, Jiexia Elisa; Ellison, Christopher G.; Stokes, Charles E.; Glenn, Norval D.
- Abstract
In recent years, researchers have exhibited considerable interest in the distinctions between "religion" and "spirituality," and in the apparently growing numbers of people in western societies who self-identify as "spiritual but not religious." However, few studies have systematically examined the antecedents or correlates of these important constructs. Using data on a nationwide (US) sample of 1,500 young adults (ages 18-35), ha If of whom are children of divorce and the other ha If of whom were raised in intact, two-parent families, our results underscore the potential importance of parental divorce in giving rise to a "spiritual but not religious" identity. Specifically, offspring of divorce constitute the majority (62%) of this category in our sample. Even with cont rols for sociodemographic factors, offspring of divorce are significantly less likely to identify themselves as "religious" but no less inclined to self-identify as "spiritual," as compared with young adults from intact families. Implications of these patterns for the intergenerational transmission of religious faith and other aspects of contemporary American culture are discussed.
- Subjects
UNITED States; CHILDREN of divorced parents; SPIRITUAL life; RELIGIOUS life; DIVORCE &; religion; DIVORCE &; society; UNITED States religions; PSYCHOLOGY; RELIGION
- Publication
Review of Religious Research, 2008, Vol 49, Issue 4, p379
- ISSN
0034-673X
- Publication type
Article