How Do Modern Youth Define Spirituality?

Here is a study which reveals how modern youth define spirituality.

Youth describe spirituality with regards to positive expressions, feelings and relationships says an American study.

The study revealed the results of the analysis of the differences between spirituality and religion in adolescents.

Anthony James, a graduate student in the University of Missouri Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), who is undertaking the research said: "Ultimately, we want to determine the impact of spirituality on positive youth development, including self-esteem and pro-social behaviour, and if it buffers against negative or risky behaviour.

"To begin that research, we first need to identify how youth define and practice spirituality."
James examined the responses of adolescents to the question, "What does it mean to be a spiritual young person?"

The answers of youth revealed the fact that they described their spiritual behaviour in terms of seven categories with regards to personal and social developments.

They were categorized as, to have purpose; to have the bond of connections, including those to a higher power (typically God), people and nature; to have a foundation of well-being, including joy and fulfillment, energy and peace; to have conviction; to have self-confidence, and to have an impetus for virtue.

James also created an 'unable to define' which included responses "Not sure," or "I don''t know," of youths who called themselves spiritual.

This threw light on the fact that there may be a disconnect between calling oneself as spiritual and defining what that entails.

James said: "Although the assumption is that many people are ''spiritual,'' spirituality is not something that is easy to articulate and define.

"People have a hard time separating spirituality from religion, but the differences are important to understanding behaviour and development."

The study, "Preliminary findings on qualitative exploration of children and youth's conceptualizations of spirituality," was presented at the 2010 Northwestern Black Graduate Student Association Conference.