Publication Date
2013
Description
Parental religiosity has been shown to predict child and adolescent religiosity, but the role of parents in emerging adult religiosity is largely unknown. We explored associations among emerging adult religiosity, perceived parental religiosity, perceived similarity to mother's and father's religious beliefs, parental faith support, and parental attachment. Participants were 481 alumni of two Christian colleges and completed surveys online. Emerging adult religiosity (measured by Christian orthodoxy and intrinsic religiosity) was high and similar to parents' religiosity. Perceived similarity to parents' religious beliefs, faith support, and attachment to fathers predicted emerging adult religiosity. However, parental religiosity alone was a weak predictor and functioned as a negative suppressor variable when combined with similarity to parents' beliefs and faith support. Findings underscore the importance of parental support and parent-child relationship dynamics more than the level of parental religiosity and point to possible unique roles for mothers and fathers in emerging adult religiosity.
Journal
Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Volume
5
Issue
1
First Page
5
Last Page
14
Department
Psychology
Link to Published Version
DOI
10.1037/a0029404
Recommended Citation
Leonard, Kathleen C.; Cook, Kaye V.; Boyatzis, Chris; Kimball, Cynthia N.; and Flanagan, Kelly S.. "Parent-Child Dynamics and Emerging Adult Religiosity: Attachment, Parental Beliefs, and Faith Support." Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (2013) : 5-14.