American psychologists from the University of Pennsylvania and Brigham Young University in Utah examined the consequences of abandoning religious identity in adolescence and early adulthood for family relationships. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Journal of Scientific Research in Religion (JSSR).
It is estimated that by 2050, 162 million people worldwide will change their religious beliefs. Almost 20% of adults in the United States who grew up religious now identify as nonreligious.
The study’s authors wanted to examine the relationship between changes in religious identity during adolescence and the quality of parent-child relationships. To do this, they looked at the results of surveys conducted in 2002-2007 with more than 5.6 thousand American families.
Scholars have identified four categories to describe these changes: maintaining a religious affiliation, adopting a religion from a non-religious background, changing a religion, and abandoning a religious affiliation. Participants also provided information about parent-child relationships and parents’ religious affiliation.
Results showed that, on average, relationship quality with parents, parental warmth, and religious affiliation remained largely constant throughout the study.
Those who abandoned their family’s religious affiliation reported worsening relationships with both parents.
The research team also examined a model that suggests leaving a religion can increase conflict with parents and affect their relationships with their children. Survey data confirmed this hypothesis and found that parents were more welcoming to children who shared their religious views.
Justin Hendricks, author of the report, said parents are less likely to show love, praise and support to their children if they abandon their family’s faith.
Researchers also found that religious conversion or change of faith generally does not affect the relationship between children and parents.
Previous researchers I learnedHe said those who adhere to traditional values are more stringent in complying with Covid-19 restrictions.