Religious development from adolescence to early adulthood among Muslim and Christian youth in Germany: A person‐oriented approach
2025

Religious Development in Muslim and Christian Youth in Germany

Sample size: 4080 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Olivia Spiegler, Jan O. Jonsson, Chloe Bracegirdle

Primary Institution: Nuffield College, University of Oxford

Hypothesis

Religious decline observed among North American Christian youth may not apply to Muslim youth in Germany.

Conclusion

Muslim youth in Germany generally maintain higher levels of religiosity compared to Christian youth, with distinct developmental trajectories observed.

Supporting Evidence

  • Muslim youth showed high levels of religiosity at age 15, with stability during adolescence.
  • Christian youth generally exhibited low levels of religiosity, with declines observed over time.
  • Distinct classes of religious development were identified among both Muslim and Christian youth.

Takeaway

This study looked at how religious beliefs change for young people in Germany. It found that Muslim teens often stay religious, while many Christian teens become less religious as they grow up.

Methodology

The study used data from the CILS4EU project, analyzing seven waves of data collected from adolescents aged 15-22 in Germany.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the exclusion of non-religious participants.

Limitations

The study's findings may not be generalizable beyond Germany and the specific religious groups studied.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 4080 adolescents aged 15-22, with a mix of Muslim and Christian backgrounds, including immigrant and non-immigrant youth.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/cdev.14151

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