Teenagers and Faith

Many organizations conduct research on the attitudes, habits and needs of adolescents, and some recent studies have focused on the role of faith in the life of the American teenager. Here are few links to those studies.

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry provides summaries and links to a number of studies.

The National Study on Youth and Religion is a research project focused on the influence of religion and spirituality in the lives of American youth.
The Effective Youth Ministry Practices in Catholic Parishes is a project that focused on research that outlined proven strategies and practical ideas for parish youth ministry programs.
Hardwired to Connect is a report on the rising rates of mental problems and emotional distress in America’s young people.
The Search Institute is a leading global innovator in discovering what children and adolescents need to become caring, healthy, and responsible adults. Drawing on extensive research, Search Institute brings hopeful solutions to pressing challenges in the lives of young people and their communities.
The Search Institute's list of 40 Developmental Assets is a list of needs or “tools” that a young person needs to successfully navigate the waters of adolescence. The list can be especially useful for parents and adults who work with youth (teachers, coaches, scout leaders, pastors, and catechetical leaders). The list of assets is also available in Spanish and thirteen other languages.
Learn more about younger adolescents.