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Ethnic and Gender Variation in Religious Involvement: Patterns of Expression in Young Adulthood
Janine M Jones1, Josie R St Peter, Sherira J Fernandes
1Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Washington.
Review of Religious Research
|September 25, 2012
Summary
This study identified distinct religious involvement profiles in young adults, revealing how these patterns change over time and vary by ethnicity and gender.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Religious Studies
Background:
- Religious involvement is a significant aspect of young adult life.
- Understanding diverse religious patterns is crucial for health and well-being research.
- Previous research has not fully captured the nuanced profiles of religiosity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically derive and describe profiles of religious involvement in young adults.
- To examine ethnic and gender differences in these religious involvement patterns.
- To analyze changes in religious profiles over time.
Main Methods:
- Latent class analysis was used to identify distinct religious profiles.
- Data were collected from 808 young adults at ages 27 and 30.
- The Duke Religion Index measured organizational, nonorganizational, and intrinsic religiosity.
Main Results:
- Five religious profiles were identified at age 27, increasing to six by age 30.
- Significant ethnic differences were observed across all religious profiles.
- Religious profiles demonstrated change over time, influenced by gender and ethnicity.
Conclusions:
- Young adult religiosity is multifaceted and dynamic.
- Ethnicity and gender are key moderators of religious involvement patterns.
- Longitudinal analysis reveals evolving religious identities in young adulthood.
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