Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Tübingen University, Germany.
Br J Dev Psychol. 2017 Mar;35(1):106-126. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12169. Epub 2016 Dec 26.
Identity and meaning in life are core developmental assets in emerging adulthood. We analysed how religiosity is related to these intentional strivings in emerging adults enrolled in theological education, by depicting (1) identity strivings and meaning in life accounts in faith narratives (Study 1) and (2) links between personal identity and meaning in life profiles and religious beliefs, behaviours, and subjective experiences (Study 2). Both studies highlighted that a Foreclosed status, with high personal commitment and reduced exploration, was dominant in faith narratives and personal identity profiles. Also, in narratives meaning in life was reflected by a strong focus on presence of meaning through religious insights. Nonetheless, global meaning in life profiles indicated that many emerging adults were searching for a meaning in their lives, while reporting lower levels of presence of meaning. Identity Achievement and High Presence-High Search profiles were linked to the highest levels of subjective, behavioural, and cognitive religiosity. We highlighted the multidimensionality of identity and meaning in life strivings in emerging adults attending theological schools. We pointed out that even in a somewhat foreclosed cultural context (e.g., Romanian Christian Orthodox theological schools), religion represents a dynamic social and ideological context for self-development. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Religious beliefs increase in emerging adults, doubled by decreases in religious behaviours, linked to an adherence to a more personal approach to religion. Religious youth are more committed to their faith and also explore identity and life meaning in relation to their religious strivings. Youth religious exemplars report close links between their religious faith and strivings for meaningful life goals. What does this study add? We investigated Christian Orthodox theology students, for whom religion is a normative dimension of personal and vocational development. A Foreclosed status, with high personal commitment and reduced exploration was dominant in faith narratives and in personal identity profiles. Many emerging adults were searching for a meaning in their lives, while at the same time reporting lower levels of presence of meaning. Identity Achievement and High Presence-High Search profiles were linked to higher levels of subjective, behavioural, and cognitive religiosity.
身份认同和生活意义是成年初显期的核心发展资产。我们通过描述（1）信仰叙事中的身份追求和生活意义，以及（2）个人身份认同和生活意义与宗教信仰、行为和主观体验之间的联系，分析了有神论与成年初显期的这些目标追求之间的关系。这两项研究都强调，在信仰叙事和个人身份认同中，封闭状态（个人高度投入但探索减少）占主导地位。此外，在叙事中，生活意义通过宗教洞见得到强烈体现。尽管如此，全球生活意义概况表明，许多成年初显期的人正在寻找生活的意义，同时报告他们的生活意义存在程度较低。身份认同达成和高存在-高搜索概况与主观、行为和认知宗教性的最高水平相关。我们强调了成年初显期在神学院就读的学生身份认同和生活意义追求的多维性。我们指出，即使在一个相对封闭的文化背景下（例如罗马尼亚东正教神学院），宗教也是自我发展的一个充满活力的社会和意识形态环境。
