SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENCE
As adolescents become capable of critical thought, they may begin to ask questions about their greater purpose. They may struggle with faith and whether to believe in organized religion or a higher spiritual power. Specifically, questions may arise such as What is life?, Why am I here?, and What happens when we die? Answers to these questions can be a journey involving cognitive processing and intense emotional sensitivity—a journey further impacted by influences in the adolescent’s life.
It is important for social workers to understand adolescent spiritual development and the major theoretical frameworks that inform and shape this understanding.
In this Assignment, you apply a theoretical perspective to a case study of an adolescent who is developing spiritually.
To prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on psychological development in adolescence and on spiritual and religious development. In the course text, pay close attention to the sections “LO3 Explore Moral Development” and “LO4 Review Fowler’s Theory of Faith Development.”
Access and download the Undergraduate Paper Template With Advice (APA 7), linked in the Learning Resources. Use this template to draft your Assignment.
View the Gabby video in the Media tab of the Learning Resources. Consider the character of Gabby and her spiritual development at this stage. Apply Fowler’s stages of faith development to her experiences in adolescence.
Submit a 2- to 4-page paper in which you do the following:
Apply Fowler’s stages of faith development to Gabby’s experiences in adolescence.
Identify one to two psychological and social challenges in spiritual development that Gabby experiences.
Explain how exposure to beliefs or ideologies counter to Gabby’s own family/cultural
values may impact her moral development.
Explain the correlation of spirituality with Gabby’s sense of well-being and identity development.
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