2015 Erie County Youth Religiosity Data 2014 Youth

2015 Erie County Youth Religiosity Data

2014 Youth Religiosity Survey Religiosity (participation in organized religion) in Erie County is measured every other year by the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS). Ten out of thirteen public schools participated in Erie County in 2013. In the spring of 2014, youth across Erie County were asked to participate in a survey about their religious participation and history. 428 students participated. The following slides illustrate their answers to these two surveys.

Do you participate in organized religion 1 or more hours per week? No Yes 9% Yes - 1+ hours per week No - attend 1 -2 times/month 37% 20% No - attend rarely Never attend now-but used to go Never attend now- never used to go 14% 6% 14% 2014 Erie County PA Youth Religiosity Survey 63% of students surveyed currently participate less than once a week or not at all. 20% say they have never attended at any time. A total of 34% participate sporadically or participated in the past. No- do not attend weekly

Relationship between Religious Activity Attendance & Family Communication Youth who respond that they participate in religion 1+ hours per week show significantly higher rates of positive family communication. 36, 2 24, 9 24, 4 24, 3 My family has clear rules about alcohol and drug use. Never Attends Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey 35, 7 Rarely Attends 23, 9 If I had a personal problem, I could ask my mom or dad for help. About once a week or more

Relationship between Religious Activity Attendance & Moral Order 35, 6 35, 1 33, 9 26, 7 26, 1 24, 4 It is VERY WRONG to pick a fight with It is VERY WRONG to attack someone It is VERY WRONG for someone your someone with the idea of seriously hurting age to drink beer, wine or hard liquor. them. Never Attends About Once a Week or More Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey Students who participate in organized religion one or more hours per week show stronger commitment to moral order than those who do not participate.

Students who participate in organized religion 1 or more hours per week are significantly less likely to have personal attitudes that would lead to problem behaviors such as violence and delinquency. Relationship between Religious Activity Attendance & Individual Attitudes 60, 7 50, 4 46, 3 20, 5 23, 6 19 It is VERY TRUE, I ignore It is VERY TRUE, I do the I think it is okay to take the rules that get in my opposite of what people something without way tell me, just to get them asking as long as you get mad. away with it. Never Attend Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey Attend about once a week or more

Relationship of Religious Participation Relationship of Religious Activity Attendance and Academic Achievement and 54, 7 46, 8 42, 7 37, 2 33, 4 31, 6 28, 4 22, 8 24, 7 29, 8 24, 1 18, 9 15 15 Mostly As Mostly A's Mostly B's Never Attends Mostly C's Rarely Attends Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey Mostly Ds Mostly D's Attends about Once a week or more There is a significant relationship between academic achievement and religious participation. Those attending once a week or more were much more likely to get A’s an B’s, while those never attending were much more likely to get D’s and F’s. 14, 9 13, 7 Mostly Fs Mostly F's

Relationship between Religious Participation and Academic Achievement 54, 7 46, 8 42, 7 37, 2 33, 4 31, 6 29, 8 28, 4 24, 7 24, 1 22, 8 18, 9 15 A’s B’s C’s 13, 7 14, 9 D’s F’s Attends about Once a week or more A’s B’s C’s D’s F’s Rarely Attends There is a significant relationship between academic achievement and religious participation. Those attending once a week or more were much more likely to get A’s an B’s, while those never attending were much more likely to get D’s and F’s. Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey A’s B’s C’s D’s Never Attends F’s

Youth who participate in organized religion 1 or more hours per week are significantly less likely to consider suicide, be depressed, or overall believe themselves to be a failure. Relationship between Level of Religious Activity Attendance & Depression 41, 1 39, 5 28, 8 39, 7 28, 7 27, 7 22, 7 20 19, 6 Considered Suicide Erie County PA , 2013 PA Youth Survey Never Attends Sad/Depressed MOST Days Rarely Attends All in all, I am inclined to think that I am a failure Atend about once a week or more

Participation vs. Importance Do you participate in organized religion 1 or more hours per week? Do you think religion matters? Yes 37% No 63% Only 37% of youth said they participate weekly but 51% said religion is important and matters a lot. That means a large number of students who don’t currently attend regularly are open to it and think it is important. 2014 Erie County PA Youth Religiosity Survey It is not important, it doesn't matter. 17% I don't know what I think about it neutral. 32% It is important, it matters a lot. 51%

Who impacts youth participation? N=261 Currently Go Used to Go Never Went Yes, 1+ Yes, 1 - Yes, NO, hr 2 x Rarely Never week month Youth participation in organized religion 120 Sibling(s) N=215 100 80 60 40 Currently Go 20 Used to Go 0 Never Went Yes, 1+ Yes, 1 - Yes, NO, hr week 2 x Rarely Never month Youth participation in organized religion # Responses of relative participation 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Mom # Responses of relative participation The most significant influence to participate or not participate in a youth’s life is Mom, followed by siblings, and then Dad. As seen below, if Mom attends or does not attend, youth attendance will likely follow suit. 60 Dad N=206 50 40 30 20 Currently Go 10 Used to Go 0 Never Went Yes, 1+ Yes, 1 -2 x Yes, hr week month Rarely NO, Never Youth participation in organized religion

Opportunities Most youth who do not participate weekly were also from immediate families who do not participate weekly. However, they were likely to know neighbors or have grandparents who do actively participate in religion. That could mean that for many youth who are not participating, a neighbor or grandparent may be the window of opportunity to connect them. N=96 30 25 20 15 Currently Go 10 Used to Go 5 Never Went 0 Yes, 1+ Yes, 1 -2 x Yes, hr week month Rarely NO, Never Youth participation in organized religion Grandparent (s) # Responses of relative participation Neighbor N=199 60 50 40 30 Currently Go 20 Used to Go 10 Never Went 0 Yes, 1+ Yes, 1 - Yes, NO, hr week 2 x Rarely Never month Youth participation in organized religion