The Role of Religion in Adolescence for Family Formation in Young Adulthood

Keywords

adolescence, cohabitation, marriage, religion, young adulthood

Abstract

This paper examines the role of religion in adolescence for shaping subsequent family formation. Data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 13,895). We explored the role of three dimensions of religious life—affiliation, attendance, and religious fervor—both singly and in combination for the transition to either marriage or cohabitation. Although each dimension predicted subsequent union formation, it was the particular combination of these dimensions that was important for understanding the likelihood of cohabiting. We also found evidence that patterns of religious identity, attendance, and fervor in adolescence were associated with the length of cohabitation, the likelihood of the cohabitation ending in marriage, and beliefs about the purpose of cohabitation.

Original Publication Citation

Eggebeen, D., & Dew, J. P. (2009). The role of religion in the family formation processes of young adults. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71, 108–121.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009-01-27

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7317

Publisher

Journal of Marriage and Family

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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