Exploring Life Meaning and Religious/Spiritual Beliefs
Location
SU-214
Start Date
1-5-2026 12:30 PM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religious exploration and perceived meaning in life among emerging adults, and whether tolerance of ambiguity moderates this relationship. Recent surveys indicate that about 35% of U.S. young adults have disaffiliated from the religion of their childhood, reflecting a cultural shift in religious commitment (Alper et al., 2025). These changes in religious identity can influence existential well-being and overall life meaning (Ysseldyk et al., 2010). Research indicates that religious or spiritual engagement is positively associated with presence of meaning in life, whereas religious and spiritual doubts are associated with lower perceived meaning (Krok, 2015; Stauner, 2016). Since religious exploration often involves uncertainty, and the questioning of core beliefs, individual differences in tolerance of ambiguity may influence whether religious exploration enhances or diminishes one’s sense of purpose and meaning. However, there is limited research on how active religious exploration interacts with ambiguity tolerance and its influence on meaning in life. The findings of this study may contribute to theoretical models of identity development and meaning-making.
Faculty Sponsor
Masami Takahashi
Exploring Life Meaning and Religious/Spiritual Beliefs
SU-214
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religious exploration and perceived meaning in life among emerging adults, and whether tolerance of ambiguity moderates this relationship. Recent surveys indicate that about 35% of U.S. young adults have disaffiliated from the religion of their childhood, reflecting a cultural shift in religious commitment (Alper et al., 2025). These changes in religious identity can influence existential well-being and overall life meaning (Ysseldyk et al., 2010). Research indicates that religious or spiritual engagement is positively associated with presence of meaning in life, whereas religious and spiritual doubts are associated with lower perceived meaning (Krok, 2015; Stauner, 2016). Since religious exploration often involves uncertainty, and the questioning of core beliefs, individual differences in tolerance of ambiguity may influence whether religious exploration enhances or diminishes one’s sense of purpose and meaning. However, there is limited research on how active religious exploration interacts with ambiguity tolerance and its influence on meaning in life. The findings of this study may contribute to theoretical models of identity development and meaning-making.