Religious concepts among individuals with intellectual disability: A comparison between adolescents and adults

Heftziba Lifshitz, Yaacov J. Katz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study compared behavioural, cognitive, and motivational components of religiosity among 54 Jewish adolescents (aged 13-21 years) and 35 adults (aged 30-60 years) with intellectual disability (ID) (IQ=40-69). A special questionnaire was constructed based on several previous studies by other authors. A different pattern was found between age groups. The adolescents fulfilled Jewish commandments to a greater extent than the adults. Social psychology theories regarding religion change/stability over the lifecycle can serve as an explanation for these findings. The cognitive component was measured using a Piagetean-type scale. The scores in prayer efficacy and providence of God were significantly higher among the adults than among the adolescents. The adults also exhibited more mature motives of fulfilling commandments (dependence on God) than the adolescents. Regression analysis indicated that among the adolescents, mental age contributed to the explained variance of the behavioural and cognitive components, while among the adults chronological age contributed to the explained variance of these components.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-201
Number of pages19
JournalEuropean Journal of Special Needs Education
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The study was commissioned by the Division of Religious Education, Ministry of Education. It was also sponsored by the Institute for Advancement and Research of Religious Education, School of Education, Bar-Ilan University.

Funding

The study was commissioned by the Division of Religious Education, Ministry of Education. It was also sponsored by the Institute for Advancement and Research of Religious Education, School of Education, Bar-Ilan University.

FundersFunder number
Institute for Advancement and Research of Religious Education, School of Education, Bar-Ilan University

    Keywords

    • Adolescents
    • Adults
    • Intellectual disability
    • Religious concepts

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