ERIC Number: EJ1365657
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Mar
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0044-118X
EISSN: EISSN-1552-8499
Available Date: N/A
Sitting in the Pews: Theological Beliefs and Racial/Ethnic Identity among African American Adolescents
Martin, Pamela P.; Butler-Barnes, Sheretta T.; Hope, Meredith O.
Youth & Society, v55 n2 p300-320 Mar 2023
Church attendance, prayer, and faith practices play a significant role in the life experiences among African Americans, especially youth. Few studies on religious behaviors among African American youth investigate the relationship between theological orientations and racial identity. These orientations include biblical principles, other-worldliness, and social legacy. A total of 187 African American adolescents (M[subscript age] = 15) attending 18 predominantly Black churches in two Midwestern cities participated in the study. Results provided support for two theological orientations that were associated with racial/ethnic identity in distinct ways. More specifically, other-worldliness was linked to more negative feelings about the appearance of African American adolescents and being more likely to endorse negative stereotypes about African Americans. Adolescents who perceived their church as communicating a theology based upon biblical principles reported rejecting negative stereotypes about African Americans. Study findings suggest theological orientations may be associated with shaping racial/ethnic identity attitudes among African American adolescents.
Descriptors: African Americans, Adolescents, Religious Factors, Religion, Correlation, Racial Identification, Church Role, Philosophy, Ethnic Stereotypes, Biblical Literature, Individual Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 0109206
Author Affiliations: N/A