With Their Own Voices

A Global Exploration of How Today’s Young People Experience and Think About Spiritual Development

Key Findings

A major new international study offers the first in-depth look at young people’s spiritual development across multiple countries and traditions. It reveals that:

  • Most youth surveyed believe there is a spiritual dimension to life, and about one-third of youth surveyed see themselves as “very” or “pretty” spiritual.
  • Youth see religion and spirituality as related, but different. Both religion and spirituality are viewed positively by a majority of youth.
  • Young people say family and friends help them spiritually, but one in five youth (18%) say that no one helps them.
  • Young people say that everyday experiences—“being in nature, listening to or performing music, being alone”—and relationships with friends and family as helping them the most in growing spiritually.

Background

From 2006 through 2008, Search Institute’s Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence, together with partners in different parts of the world, has been listening to young people’s own perspectives on spiritual development. In total, more than 7,000 youth have participated in this multi-methods study. These young people, between the ages of 12 and 25, live in 17 countries on 6 continents. Through a series of exploratory focus groups (13 countries; 175 youth), interviews (6 countries; 32 youth), and surveys (8 countries; 6,853 youth), they offer fresh insight into spiritual development among today’s youth. This report offers one of the first snapshots of spiritual development across multiple countries and traditions.

Media Coverage

Full Report
Selected Key Findings
Press Release

Download a PowerPoint presentation about the study (for educational, non-commercial uses only)