Rural urban differences in educational outcomes: Does religious social capital matter?

Citation

Anderson, Paul D., Jr. (2015). Rural urban differences in educational outcomes: Does religious social capital matter?.

Abstract

Even though sociologists have researched religion for many years, the exact mechanisms involved in religious effects on adolescent outcomes remains unclear. In recent years researchers have turned to social capital, and more specifically religious social capital, in an effort to more accurately predict life outcomes. However, despite findings indicating that religious social capital improves behavioral outcomes and educational achievement, contradictory results have emerged due to methodological and measurement limitations. Therefore, using data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) survey I determined the factors associated with the accumulation of religious social capital and the effects of demographic and geographic factors on religious social capital. In addition, a new religious social capital measure was created and a more in-depth classification of religious groups was used in these analyses. Findings suggest that there are unique differences in the accumulation of and the effects of religious social capital on adolescent outcomes by religious groups with conservative Protestants experiencing the most beneficial effects of religious social capital. The results also indicate that the geographic location of a school and the religious composition of a given area created significant differences within and between religious groups. This dissertation advances the body of religious research on adolescents by adding a unique perspective to a crowded research area.

URL

http://libproxy.lib.unc.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1729496542?accountid=14244

Keyword(s)

Philosophy, religion and theology

Reference Type

Thesis/Dissertation

Book Title

Sociology

Author(s)

Anderson, Paul D., Jr.

Series Author(s)

Bates, Littisha A.

Year Published

2015

Volume Number

3730096

Pages

157

Publisher

University of Cincinnati

City of Publication

Ann Arbor, MI

ISSN/ISBN

9781339162324

DOI

9781339162324

Reference ID

7714