The Exploration of Spirituality and Identity Status in Adolescence

Authors

  • Stefanie Nassif Goldstein

Abstract

Spirituality may play an integral role in the healthy development of adolescents and yet it has been understudied in the field of psychology. This study explores the relationship between high-school-aged adolescents’ spirituality and James Marcia’s (1966, 1980) four identity statuses (diffused, foreclosed, moratorium, and identity achieved) through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between spirituality and gender with females scoring higher than males, and no relationship between spirituality and Marcia’s identity statuses. The qualitative results revealed that adolescents categorized in all four identity statuses experience spirituality and most often experience it in relationship with others. These combined results indicate that adolescents are indeed experiencing spirituality, most often through connection with others.

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Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2010): Special Issue on Spirituality and Positive Youth Development

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Articles

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