Orthodox Catechism Affects Gender Differences in Adolescents’ Needs for Affiliation and Achievement and Alters their Sense of Purpose in Life

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies conducted among Catholics and Protestants have shown higher levels of prayer and religious experience among women compared to men and have suggested that these gender differences may be a reflection of differences in personality and socialization. However, the impact of orthodox religion on adolescents’ psychological and social wellbeing remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Orthodox religious studies (Orthodox Catechism) on gender differences in adolescents’ needs for affiliation and achievement and their effect on adolescents’ attitudes about their purpose in life. This study is the first to show that Orthodox Catechism affects adolescents’ needs for affiliative and achievement motivation in a gender-dependent manner. Orthodox Catechism enhances the competition motives of male adolescents and has a significant influence on the development of emotional support and goal achievement as well as providing a source of pleasure for female adolescents. Thus, the Orthodox Catechism is related to gender differences in adolescents’ sense of purpose in life. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the effects of the Orthodox Catechism on the expression of adolescents’ psycho-emotional characteristics, demonstrating that the Orthodox religion has a positive influence on adolescents’ needs for affiliation and achievement and affects their attitudes about their purpose in life.