Lance Erickson and Dr. Brian K. Barber, Sociology
The role of religion in adolescence has been given considerable attention in past decades. The majority of this attention has been concerned with religion as a social control mechanism (1), and therefore has focused on its relationship to adolescent deviance and drug use. Although relatively few in number, there have been some studies on more psychological outcomes such as psychological well being, self-esteem, and loneliness (1; 2; 3; 4). These studies have shown that youth who are more involved in religion are less likely to be deviant and more likely to have higher levels of psychological well-being.
An important aspect of this relationship that has not received empirical attention is the mechanisms through which these outcomes are achieved. Therefore, this study proposed to explore possible mediators of the relationship between religiosity and different aspects of adolescent functioning. Possible mechanisms that have been suggested in the literature are support received through friends (5), self-esteem learned through religious socialization (4), and values that become incorporated into an adolescent’s life style (6). One example of a mechanism is how religion may help curb feelings of loneliness: “religion and faith may not only provide the person with connectedness to other worshipers but also with the solace that comes from feeling related to a protective and powerful supreme being” (7:114). Religious participation and faith provide opportunities for individuals to connect with people of similar interests and it provides them with a safe feeling of being protected by an all-seeing force. These and other proposed mechanisms have not been developed or tested thoroughly.
The Gaza Strip was chosen as a suitable location for this exploratory qualitative study because its relative freedom from non-traditional influences and its high level of religious orthodoxy make it a “pure” and strong religious environment. The importance of religion to Gazan youth is highlighted by recent data showing that 58% of Gazan youth ages 14-18 were found to talk to their friends about religion at least once a week, compared to 27% of Mormons in Ogden, Utah (8). Six focus group interviews were performed with adolescents ages 14-18.
A number of mediators were apparent from the recorded responses. Specific religious beliefs, the amount of information about religious doctrines, participation in ritual worship, involvement with non-deviant peers, social ordering provided by religious doctrine, and social control were found to be relevant mechanisms of the influence of religion on the adolescents interviewed. Because of space limitations, data for only 2 of these mechanisms will be presented here.
One belief that had a particular influence on the adolescents was their expectation of what the afterlife would have waiting for them. Some youth saw the afterlife as a factor in whether or not they would engage in deviant behaviors by creating a fear of future punishment. Bilal responded to a request to explain how Islam helps people do what is right by saying,
“Take, for example, adultery. In our religion, if you commit adultery, you will go to the hell. We can still do it, and so can everyone else, but there are few who do it who are religious because they are afraid of being sent to hell afterward.”
Bilal believes this life is not the end of existence, and that in fact a better world exists that he can take part in if he doesn’t do what’s wrong. This belief enables him to avoid temptations and to not involve himself in behaviors that might be pleasurable, yet against the code of conduct he has been taught.
It has been suggested that as religious participation involves an individual in a community of shared beliefs he/she will be motivated to form healthy relationships with others, leading to an increased sense of self-esteem (9). One way this involvement likely occurs is through participation in ritual worship. Group prayers is an example of one such ritual that takes place in a mosque. Ismain explained what he likes about these prayers.
“During the prayers, an Imam stands in front and the Muslims stand in rows, everyone next to each other. There is no difference between one and the other. I am as you and you as me.”
Whatever the youths’ individual experiences may be in life, during this ritual they have an experience where they are not alienated from each other in any way. They can feel that they are part of a group, that they belong. This likely helps an adolescent feel similar to his peers, which may contribute to feelings of connectedness to them. This group involvement also gives the youth a chance to incorporate the group identity as part of his/her own, which may increase feelings of self-esteem.
References
- Benson, P.L., and M.J. Donahue. (1989). “Adolescence and Religion: A Review of the Literature from 1970 to 1986.” Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion: A Research Annual. Greenwich, CT: Jai Press, Inc. 1:153-181.
- Gartner, J., D.B. Larson, & G.D. Allen. (1991). “Religious Commitment and Mental Health: A review of the empirical literature.” Journal of Psychology and Theology. 19:6-25.
- Hyde, Kenneth E. (1990). Religion in Childhood and Adolescence: A Comprehensive Review of the Research. Birmingham, AL: Religious Education Press, Inc.
- Thomas, D.L. and C. Carver. “Religion and Adolescent Social Competence.” In Thomas, Darwin L. (Ed.). Developing Social Competency in Adolescence. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 1990.
- Brownfield, D., and A.M. Sorenson. (1991). “Religion and Drug Use among Adolescents: A Social Support Conceptualization and Interpretation.” Deviant Behavior. 12:259-276.
- Bergin, A.E. (1991). “Values and Religious Issues in Psychotherapy and Mental Health.” American Psychologist. 46(4):394-403.
- Rokach, A., & H. Brock. (1998). “Coping with Loneliness.” Journal of Psychology. 132(2):107-127.
- Barber, B.K. (1998, April). “Mormon and Muslim Youth.” Presentation given to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, Jerusalem.
- Ventis, W.L. (1995). “The Relationships Between Religion and Mental Health.” Journal of Social Issues. 51(2):33-48.