title: Filling the void: spiritual development among adolescents of the affluent.
abstract: Building on both the spiritual development and affluent youth literature, the current study explores spiritual development and health outcomes in a sample of upper-middle-class youth. Exploratory analyses indicate long-term stability in religiosity and spirituality from late adolescence (mean age 18) well into emerging adulthood (mean age 24); specifically, a strong personal relationship with a Higher Power, that carries into the broader arena of life, appears to be the primary source of spiritual life in adolescence that transitions into young adulthood. Moreover, cross-sectional associations at age 24 suggest spiritual development may have important implications for increased mental health and life satisfaction, as well as decreased antisocial behaviors.
authors: Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY, 10027, USA, sam.barkin@gmail.com.
authors: Samuel H
authors: SH
authors: Barkin
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Miller
authors: Suniya S
authors: SS
authors: Luthar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012923:Social Class; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult