Timing of Parental Divorce and Spiritual Behavior in Young Adulthood: A Quantitative Study

Author

• Marcus A. NorthFollow

Campus Location

Abilene Campus (Residential)

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Marriage and Family Therapy

Degree Name

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

Committee Chair or Primary Advisor

Jason Martin

Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor

Lisa Merchant

Third Committee Member or Committee Reader

Joanna Méndez-Pounds

Abstract

Background: While the literature on divorce and its impacts on children currently is quite robust, additional information can be contributed to specific factors that impact spiritual outcomes later in life. This research study sought to investigate the relationship between a child’s age at the time of their parents’ divorce and their subsequent spiritual behavior in young adulthood.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey was created, utilizing two previously validated instruments: Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) and the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS-15). The survey was administered online through Qualtrics software; participants were recruited through non-random purposive sampling, as well as participant snowballing.

Results: Fifty-five potential participants responded to the survey; the final population was N = 47. Pearson’s correlation revealed a slight correlation between age at time of parental divorce and DSES score (r = .229, p > .05), although statistically insignificant. CRS-15 total score and domain scores were likewise correlated with age at time of parental divorce (Total Score [r = .251, p > .05], Intellect [r = .099, p > .05], Ideology [r = .085, p > .05], Public Practice [r = .225, p > .05], Private Practice [r = .265, p > ,05], and Experience [r = .267, p > .05].) Significant correlations were found between participants’ subjective childhood spiritual behavior scores and three CRS-15 domain scores.

Discussion: Although the main focus of research yielded statistically insignificant data (likely due to small sample size), a slight correlation was identified (DSES: r = .229, CRS-15: r = .251). The correlation discovered did not support the researcher’s original hypothesis. Further research may be able to replicate this study on a larger scale to find significant results, which would hold notable clinical and familial implications

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

North, Marcus A., "Timing of Parental Divorce and Spiritual Behavior in Young Adulthood: A Quantitative Study" (2026). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1021.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/1021