An Analysis of the Relationship between Adolescent Spiritual Development and Father Involvement

Abstract

The research study was an examination of the correlation between father involvement and the spiritual development of adolescents. Father involvement was assessed based on the adolescent's perception in twenty domains of fatherhood. Eight domains of spiritual development were evaluated using the Spiritual Formation Inventory developed by Dr. Brad Waggoner. The literature review included a theological foundation for fatherhood, father involvement literature, and a modem historical review of adolescence. The chasm between the sociological and theological fields of research was bridged through the presentation of mutual perspectives on adolescent development. The research produced several important results. First, there is a significant correlation between perceived father involvement and spiritual development in adolescents. Statistically, fathers accounted for 40% of adolescent spiritual development. Also, participants from all adolescent categories consistently expressed a desire for increased father involvement. Finally, the doctrinal domain of adolescent spiritual development did not demonstrate a statistical correlation with father involvement possibly indicating healthy education programs in the local Southern Baptist Church. Key Words: Adolescent, Adolescence, Spiritual Development, Father Involvement, Father Nurturance, Fathering, Youth Ministry, Parenting, Spiritual Formation, Teenager