This qualitative study explores the dynamics of religious cognitions, behaviors, and emotions in emerging adult discourse in a sample of Romanian youth of heterogeneous socioeconomic, denominational (Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic, Neo-protestant), and educational background. Also, from a parent-child dyad perspective, we investigate the role of family religious socialization when children have reached emerging adulthood. Findings bring forward personal conceptualizations of religiosity and specific strategies of religious exploration the youth employ. In addition, family religious socialization is portrayed through the lens of the autonomy-support parents provide their offspring from childhood to emerging adulthood. Emerging adults tend to integrate childhood family religious socialization into the context of their lifelong religious development and also report more present-day parental influence than their parents.

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Author Biographies

Oana Negru is a lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her research focuses on the development of intentionality and agency in adolescence and emerging adulthood, from the perspective of motivation, goals, and identity formation.

Cosmina Haragâş is a licensed psychologist and has done MA in school and psychological counseling. Her research focuses on the relation between spiritual and religious development and parenting in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Anca Mustea is a lecturer at “Vasile Goldiş” Western University of Arad, Romania. She teaches research methods, data analysis, and psychology of religion. Her research focuses on religion and spirituality as sources of meaning, religious coping, and religious goals.

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