Between Vulnerability and Connection: Longitudinal Evidence on the Impact of Transformative Religious/Spiritual Experiences.

ABSTRACT: Transformative religious/spiritual experiences (RSE) represent a subset of extraordinary experiences that are both self-destabilizing and relational in nature. This double-edged quality positions transformative RSE as both a potential source of psychological vulnerability and a catalyst for enhanced social connectedness. This study investigates the antecedents and outcomes of transformative RSE using a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 10,529 young adults from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health T0 (1994-1995), T1 (2001-2002), and T2 (2008). We examined associations of reporting a transformative RSE at T1 (late adolescence) on a broad range of physical, mental, behavioural, and social health and wellbeing indicators assessed at T2 (early adulthood).

SUBMITTER: Chen ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12495122 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature