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Measuring Five Dimensions of Religiosity across Adolescence
Lisa D Pearce1, George M Hayward1, Jessica A Pearlman2
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Review of Religious Research
|September 22, 2017
Summary
This study models adolescent religiosity using five dimensions: beliefs, exclusivity, external, private, and salience. Findings show a superior latent variable model for understanding religiosity
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Religious Studies
Background:
- Adolescent religiosity research often uses single items, neglecting interdimensional associations.
- Previous studies rarely operationalize multiple religiosity dimensions in a cohesive measurement model.
- Understanding the complex nature of adolescent religiosity requires accounting for its various facets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theorize and test a latent variable model of adolescent religiosity.
- To examine the interrelationships among five key dimensions of religiosity over time.
- To provide a more robust framework for studying religion's influence on adolescent development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables.
- Analysis of data from two waves of the National Study of Youth and Religion.
- Comparison of the hypothesized measurement model against four alternative models.
Main Results:
- The proposed five-dimensional latent variable model demonstrated superior fit compared to alternative models.
- Significant associations were identified between the five dimensions of religiosity.
- The study documented how these dimensions and their associations evolve across time.
Conclusions:
- The developed latent variable model offers a superior approach to measuring adolescent religiosity.
- Future research should adopt comprehensive models to capture the multifaceted nature of religiosity.
- This framework enhances understanding of religion's role in adolescent experiences and behaviors.
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