Political identity switching and change in religiosity among students at a conservative Christian university.

Research on university students' religiosity concentrates on the effect of higher education on religious behavior and belief. Some of this effect may be due to higher education's influence on political identity which – in a context of increased political polarization and expressive political identity – may impact religious commitment. Using longitudinal panel data from the Baylor Faith and Character Study, this study examines change in political identity and religiosity among students at a conservative Protestant university. Findings reveal changes in public and private religious behaviors, certainty in belief and their alignment with core tenets of the Christian faith, and spirituality and one's relationship to the divine corresponding with shifting politics. While students who become more politically conservative increase their religiosity, the inverse is true for those whose politics liberalize.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Brandon M., 1996-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Uecker, Jeremy.

• Religion.
• Spirituality.
• Political identity.
• Affective polarization.
• Emerging adulthood.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/11970

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/11970