title: The Dynamics and Correlates of Religious Service Attendance in Adolescence.
abstract: This study examines changes in religious service attendance over time for a contemporary cohort of adolescents moving from middle to late adolescence. We use two waves of a nationally representative panel survey of youth from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) to examine the dynamics of religious involvement during adolescence. We then follow with an analysis of how demographic characteristics, family background, and life course transitions relate to changes in religious service attendance during adolescence. Our findings suggest that, on average, adolescent religious service attendance declines over time, related to major life course transitions such as becoming employed, leaving home, and initiating sexual activity. Parents' affiliation and attendance, on the other hand, are protective factors against decreasing attendance.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica Halliday
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hardie
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda Lundquist
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Denton
keywords: church attendance; emerging adulthood/adult transition; longitudinal design