Save

Personal Rituals in Adolescence: Their Role in Emotion Regulation and Identity Formation

In: Journal of Empirical Theology
Authors:
Sarah Demmrich University of Munster Germany

Search for other papers by Sarah Demmrich in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
and
Uwe Wolfradt University of Halle Germany

Search for other papers by Uwe Wolfradt in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

Abstract

This study examines the meaning of personal rituals for the adolescent identity development and emotion regulation. Both are ritual functions and can be characterized as adolescent developmental tasks. However, there is no consistent pattern in previous research to explain the processes for how identity is formed and emotions are regulated during the performance of personal rituals. Therefore, a questionnaire study among 410 (182 male) adolescents (age: M = 15.06, SD = .61) was carried out. The questionnaire used the Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory and various measures to assess different experiences during the ritual (i.e. mood, emotion regulation, reality-transforming experiences). After separating spiritual from non-spiritual rituals, the results showed that spiritual rituals were used as a means for emotion regulation. Furthermore, self-reflection was closely related to the information-oriented identity style. The findings are discussed against the background of the impact of spiritual practices for emotional and identity development in adolescence.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 1544 414 42
Full Text Views 432 18 2
PDF Views & Downloads 692 39 4