The Effects of Self-Concept, Anxiety, Hope and Optimism on the Development of Religious Orientation of Youth

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the influential determinants for the development of religious orientation of the youth. On the assumption that anxiety, self-concept, hope and optimism affect the religious orientation, the relationships between the assumed determinants and the religious orientation are studied from the positive viewpoints. The subjects of this research are 379 students in the second grade of junior high-schools and of high-schools, and the freshmen and the sophomores of colleges. This research led to the following results: First, anxiety, social self-concept and optimism affect the religious orientation. Secondly, anxiety, social self-concept and individual self-concept affect the external orientation which is subordinate to the religious orientation. Thirdly, social self-concept and anxiety affect the internal orientation. Finally, anxiety and individual self-concept affect the quest orientation. Additional results are as follows: The social self-concept and the religious orientation are significantly interrelated to each other both in the groups of junior high and high school students. The anxiety and the religious orientation are interrelated to each other in college students. Discussing the influence and the meaning of the determinants for the development of religious orientation of the youth, his research also aims to suggest further studies.