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Published on: September 28, 2018
Stability and change in religiousness during emerging adulthood
Laura B Koenig1, Matt McGue, William G Iacono
1Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, USA. koen0099@umn.edu
Religiousness in females declines during emerging adulthood, with high stability but individual changes. Genetic factors influence change in younger individuals, while environmental factors play a role in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Religiousness is linked to positive outcomes.
- Understanding religious development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine changes in religiousness in females during emerging adulthood.
- Investigate genetic and environmental influences on religiousness, its change, and stability.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological study of two twin cohorts.
- Assessments at ages 14, 18, 20, and 25.
- Analysis of mean-level, rank-order, and individual-level change.
Main Results:
- Religiousness mean levels decreased with age; rank-order stability was high.
- Younger cohort showed more change than the older cohort.
- Heritability of religiousness increased with age; shared environmental influences decreased.
Conclusions:
- Religiousness changes during emerging adulthood, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
- Genetic factors primarily drive change in younger individuals, while environmental factors influence change in older individuals.
- Stability of religiousness is influenced by environmental factors in younger cohorts and by genes and family environment in older cohorts.
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