Francis, Leslie J., Penny, Gemma and Powell, Ruth, Ph.D. (2018) Assessing peer and parental influence on the religious attitudes and attendance of young churchgoers : exploring the Australian National Church Life Survey. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 39 (1). pp. 57-72. doi:10.1080/13617672.2016.1209923

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Abstract

Drawing on data from the 2011 Australian National Church Life Survey, this study was designed to assess peer and parental influence on frequency of church attendance, attitude toward church, and attitude toward Christianity among a sample of 6,256 young churchgoers between the ages of 8 and 14 years, attending a range of denominations, including Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, Pentecostal, and other Protestant Churches. The data indicated the power of parental example on frequency of church attendance. Frequent attendance among young churchgoers occurred when both parents attend as well. Parental influence worked differently on shaping attitude toward church. The most positive attitude was found among young churchgoers who had the opportunity to talk about God with their parents and who did not feel that their parents made them go to church. Young churchgoers responded to parental encouragement better than to parental pressure. Although peer influence within the church did not make much contribution to frequency of attendance, it made a contribution to shaping positive attitude toward church.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Education Studies (2013- )
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Preteens--Australia, Church attendance--Australia, Peer pressure in children--Australia, Peer pressure in children--Religious aspects--Christianity, Parental influences--Australia, Church work with preteens--Australia
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Beliefs & Values
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1361-7672
Official Date:	2018
Dates:	Date Event 2018 Published 8 August 2016 Available 1 November 2015 Accepted
Volume:	39
Number:	1
Number of Pages:	16
Page Range:	pp. 57-72
DOI:	10.1080/13617672.2016.1209923
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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