Childhood experiences and adult community participation in secular and religious contexts in 22 countries.

ABSTRACT: Participation in community groups (including both secular and religious groups) is associated with improved health, well-being, and societal cohesion. However, less is known about conditions that increase community participation, especially childhood factors. Using data from 202,898 adults across 22 countries, this study evaluated childhood antecedents of adult community participation in both secular and religious contexts. Associations were examined in each country separately, and also cross-nationally by meta-analytically pooling country-specific estimates. Results suggest that frequent religious service attendance in childhood was the strongest predictor for both adult secular community participation and adult religious service attendance. In addition, several other childhood experience

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623914 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature