Introduction to the special section on religion and spirituality in family life: pathways between relational spirituality, family relationships and personal well-being.

Abstract

This special section on faith and family life presents 5 studies that each offer novel insights into the complex web of linkages between a target family member's religious and/or spiritual (R/S) functioning and parental or family factors that may influence the target family member's psychological or R/S functioning. The outcome domain of interest is adolescent psychological functioning in the first three studies, parental stress in the fourth study, and the R/S functioning of adult children in the fifth study. In this introduction, we feature unique findings from each study. We then highlight 3 key conceptual issues that researchers need to recognize to continue to move forward rigorous research on specific roles that R/S can play in enhancing as well as undermining individual and family well-being.