Meta-analysis of relationships between religiosity and constructive and destructive behaviors among adolescents

In view of the substantial number of recent studies on relationships between religious involvement and constructive or destructive behavior among adolescents, it is time to consolidate knowledge about these relationships through a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis conducted in this study involves 40 studies published from 1995 to 2009, covering adolescents with an average age of 16.45 years. Results show a weak overall effect (Zr = .19). Moreover, religious involvement exhibits a stronger relationship with constructive behavior than with destructive behavior. Compared with private religious involvement, public religious involvement shows a weaker relationship with constructive or destructive behaviors. Furthermore, non-representative sampling generates a stronger relationship than does representative sampling.

Research Highlights► Youth's religious involvement has a positive relationship with conduct. ► The relationship is stronger with constructive behavior than with destructive behavior. ► The relationship is stronger with private than with public religious involvement. ► The relationship is stronger based on a non-representative sample than on a representative sample.