Spirituality, Religion and Healthy Development in Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents are particularly inclined toward a search for ultimate meaning and transcendence. Research suggests that adolescence may be a period of augmented spiritual awareness and spiritual development. In as much as this developmental period marks the window of the onset of prevalent forms of pathology, such as substance abuse and depression, a growing body of research has examined protective qualities of personal spirituality in the onset of life-time course of disorder. Overall, studies find a highly robust protective effect of spirituality against the onset of psychopathology, particularly with respect to the spiritual dimensions of transcendence and an ongoing daily relationship with the Divine. Parental support for spiritual individuation and peers interested in discussing spiritual concerns can help to strengthen and clarify personal spirituality in adolescence.