The Role of Doubt in Religious Identity Development and Psychological Maturity

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2011

Abstract

The need to develop a strong religious identity has concerned clergy and educators for many years. However, how religious identity development occurs has seldom been analyzed or used to guide educators' efforts to promote identity development in their students. This discussion delves into the framework of identity development as described by Marcia in 1966 and illustrates parallel processes for the development of religious identity. The characteristics of each stage that Marcia proposed are described and the construct of doubt is analyzed as an essential factor for successful identity achievement. Educational interventions are proposed for creating school environments that promote, rather than inhibit, religious identity development. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC and Andrews University.

Journal Title

Journal of Research on Christian Education

Volume

20

Issue

2

First Page

182

Last Page

194

DOI

10.1080/10656219.2011.590123

First Department

Graduate Psychology and Counseling

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@ the James White Library

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