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Abstract
This study examined South African youths’ perceptions of religion during a period of social and economic transition. In-depth interviews were conducted with 55 Black South African youth (age 18) living in the Johannesburg-Soweto metropolitan area. Data were analyzed in a manner consistent with grounded theory methodology and structural coding. Beliefs about the function of religion were captured by the following themes: provides support, connection to the past, moral compass, promotes healthy development, and intersections between African traditional practices and Christian beliefs. Themes are discussed and directions for future research are presented. In addition, applications of the current research and implications for promoting youths’ resilience are offered.
Keywords religion, culture, positive youth development, South Africa
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Author Biographies
Aerika S. Brittian Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received a doctoral degree in 2010 from Tufts University. Her research investigates risk and protective factors, specifically aspects of identity and culture, among urban ethnic minority youth and families, and makes recommendations for culturally informed practice and prevention.
Nina Lewin is an honorary Ph.D. fellow in the MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand. She has a master’s degree in sociology of religion. Her research focuses on religion and health, including healing, risk factors, and prayer. She is currently working in the field of research data management, specifically investigating the challenges of managing large and complex mixed-methods datasets in low resource settings.
Shane A. Norris Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics and the Director of the MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand. His research interests lie within the area of child and adolescent health with a specific focus on growth and development, and obesity and metabolic disease risk.
