Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2008

Thesis Director

Ronan Bernas

Thesis Committee Member

Russell Gruber

Thesis Committee Member

Marjorie Hanft-Martone

Abstract

The present study explored how three variables ( epistemological belief, attachment style to God, and religious commitment) predicted religious maturity. The study specifically aimed at determining which variable ( epistemological belief, attachment style to God, and religious commitment) was most predictive of each of the various dimensions of religious maturity: master-motive, complexity of beliefs, openness, heuristic quality as well as the integration of religious attitude components. Scales that measured these predictors and dimensions of religious maturity were administered to 246 students at Eastern Illinois University. Results indicated that the affective (attachment style to God) and behavioral (religious commitment) variables were most predictive of religious maturity. Unexpectedly, the cognitive variable ( epistemological belief) was not associated with any facet of religious maturity and possible explanations were offered. In order to study religious maturity from a more comprehensive perspective, the study points future researchers towards a broader conceptualization of the construct.

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