Religious Commitment, Skepticism, and Struggle Among U.S. College Students: The Impact of Majority/Minority Religious Affiliation and Institutional Type

Jenny L. Small; Nicholas A. Bowman

doi:10.1111/j.1468-5906.2010.01557.x

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Religious Commitment, Skepticism, and Struggle Among U.S. College Students: The Impact of Majority/Minority Religious Affiliation and Institutional Type

Journal article

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Religious Commitment, Skepticism, and Struggle Among U.S. College Students: The Impact of Majority/Minority Religious Affiliation and Institutional Type

Jenny L. Small and Nicholas A. Bowman

Journal for the scientific study of religion, Vol.50(1), pp.154-174

03/01/2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5906.2010.01557.x

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Abstract

Using a longitudinal sample of over 14,000 undergraduate students, this study explores whether and how students' religious transformations during the college years are associated with their religious affiliation, religious experiences, and the institutional characteristics of their college or university. Hierarchical linear modeling reveals that students from religious majority groups (i.e., mainline and evangelical Protestants) generally experience increased religious commitment and decreased religious skepticism as compared with students from religious minority groups. Interestingly, though, students from these majority groups also report greater levels of religious struggle compared to minority group students. Moreover, institutional religious affiliation and an inclusive campus religious climate often attenuate the relationship between students' religious affiliation and their religious transformation. Environments at both the macro (campus) and micro (friendship groups) levels contribute critically to young adults' religious commitment.

Arts & Humanities

Religion

Social Sciences

Sociology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Religious Commitment, Skepticism, and Struggle Among U.S. College Students: The Impact of Majority/Minority Religious Affiliation and Institutional Type
Creators: Jenny L. Small - Center for the Study of Higher Education
Nicholas A. Bowman - University of Notre Dame
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal for the scientific study of religion, Vol.50(1), pp.154-174
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5906.2010.01557.x
ISSN: 0021-8294
eISSN: 1468-5906
Publisher: Wiley
Number of pages: 21
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2011
Academic Unit: Educational Policy and Leadership Studies; Center for Social Science Innovation; Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984283567302771

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