Continuity and Change in the Religious Lives of American Youth: Tracking NSYR Respondents

This project extends the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), a national research project on the religious practices of American youth funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. This currently funded project has produced two original sources of data (a nationally representative telephone survey and a set of 267 in-depth interviews) that are providing a rich portrait of fascinating and useful information for religious organizations, social scientists, and the general public about the religious lives of American teenagers. We have the opportunity to expand exponentially the value of these data for investigating the ways in which these youths’ religious lives are unfolding over time by collecting a second round of survey and interview data. Therefore, this proposed extension of the NSYR project includes conducting a phone survey to re-interview the original NSYR nationally representative youth sample (N=3,370) and another wave of in-depth personal interviews with 150 of our original interview subjects. The substantive aims of this second wave of data collection are (1) to examine, in the developing lives of youth, continuity and change over time in their religious affiliations, beliefs, and practices, and (2) to explore links between these religious dynamics and other aspects of youth’s lives, including subjective well-being, family processes, educational achievement, and career development. Findings from the longitudinal data this study will produce will provide the most detailed information to date on the dynamics of religious affiliation, belief, practice, and commitment across adolescence and young adulthood in the United States. This proposed extension of the NSYR will run from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, will involve a highly experienced research team, and will lead to the widespread dissemination of top quality research findings about the shape of youth’s religious belief and practice over time; the causes of entry, exit, or continuity in religious involvement; as well as the broader consequences of these religious dynamics in youths’ developing lives.

Principal Investigator: Lisa D. Pearce

Other Investigators: Christian Smith

Funding Source: Lilly Endowment Inc.

Grant Number: 2004 1739-000

Funding Period: 12/01/04-12/31/08

Affiliated Research Projects:
• National Study of Youth and Religion