Ninth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Religious identity development of immigrants is not well understood. According to identity formation theory, religious identity is formed through the exploration of and commitment to different religious beliefs and practices. A small body of literature on non-immigrants suggests that there are several types or variations of religious identities, such that people can be grouped into five clusters of religious identities that differ in the strength of exploration and commitment to different religious beliefs, practices, and ideologies. Identity formation in general is a normative part of adolescent development, but religious identity formation in particular may be more relevant later in development during emerging adulthood. Importantly, immigration may change how, when, and what types of religious identities develop because immigrants must renegotiate and reform their religious identity when societal norms for religiosity differ substantially between the sending and receiving cultures (e.g., Philippines to Canada). The current paper uses cluster analysis and prediction analysis to examine the types of religious identities that emerge from a sample of 210 Christian-affiliated Filipina/o/x immigrants to Canada, and observes the developmental trajectory of religious identity from age 14 to 25. The paper also takes into account whether religious identity types differ by acculturation level, gender, and other key demographic variables. The study provides insight to the different ways Filipino immigrant youth make meaning of religion post-migration. The findings also provide a basis for understanding differences in religious identities within immigrant families, particularly among parents and children.