Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Previous research on deconversion from a Christian religious background to atheism indicates that individuals experience negative social consequences with family, friends, and community groups when they disclose that their beliefs have changed (Marriott, 2015); (Dollinger, 2018). Past research has shown that mothers are impacted by their emerging adult child’s deconversion (Marriott, 2015). Studies also indicate that parents who are extrinsically religious and less open to new experiences are more likely to dismiss their emerging adult child’s worldview (Marriott, 2015). These findings are all derived from qualitative research, and there is no known quantitative research investigating these topics. This study contributes to existing research by using a quantitative method to determine if perceived parental openness and religiosity predicts the severity of coming out responses and frequency of reconversion attempts made by family members in differing gender roles. Eighty- seven participants were recruited from subreddits that support the non-religious community. asked demographic questions, screened for depression using the PHQ-9, asked questions about their anxiety using the GAD-7, then responded to the openness scale of the Big Five Inventory and the I/E-Revised Scale regarding how they perceive each parent by gender role. Data was analyzed by using correlations and stepwise logistic regression. This research determined that perceived female parental openness may be a predictor of severity of responses when coming out to parental figures.

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