Relationship between Religiosity and Prosocial Behavior of Youth in Thailand
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Published:
Nov 7, 2013
Keywords:
Religiosity Prosocial behavior Thai Youth
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Abstract
Researches gradually suggest the importance of religious engagement as a developmental resource that guide youth to become responsible, caring, and civic-minded adults as well as enhances the youth’s prosocial behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between religiosity and prosocial behavior in Thai youths. Data were obtained from the 2008 Survey on Conditionsof Society, Culture, and Mental Health conducted by The National Statistical Office. This study selected only Thai youth aged 15 to 24 and being Buddhists as a sample. Findings support the theoretical notion that religiosity of youth influence prosocial behavior. Maintaining the five precepts and Applying doctrine todaily life increased the level of prosocial behaviors among Thai youth. The authors discuss implications for stake holders to launch efficiently and effectively religious education program by encouraging youth to take part in religious activities to ensure that they aware of the importance of religious and prosocial behavior.
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References
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Batson, C. D. and Gray, R. A. (1981) Religious orientation and helping behavior: Responding to own or to the victim’s needs? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 57(5): 873-884.
Bekkers, R. (2004) Giving and Volunteering in the Netherlands: Sociological and Psychological perspectives. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Utrecht University.
Bekkers, R. and Dirk de Graaf, N. (2005) Field of Education and Prosocial Behavior. Paper prepared for Marktdag Sociologie, June 2, 2005, Brussels.
Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C. and Rude, S. P. (2003) Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence: Toward a Field of Inquiry. Applied Developmental Science 7(3): 205-213.
Beutel, A. M. and Johnson, M. K. (2004) Gender and Prosocial Values during Adolescence: A Research Note. The Sociological Quarterly 45: 379-393.
Boswell, G. E. H. and Boswell-Ford, K. C. (2010) Testing a SEM Model of Two Religious Concepts and Experiential Spirituality. Journal of Religious and Health, 49: 200-211.
Buddhist Learning Club. (2012) Recover House Temple School to Increase Moral of Adolescents. Retrieved on October 27, 2012 from https://blctoday.org/?p=66. (in Thai)
Chamratrithirong, A., Miller, B. A., Byrnes, H. F., Rhucharoenpornpanich, O., Cupp, P. K., Rosati, M. J., Fongkaew, W., Atwood, K. A. and Chookhare, W. (2010) Spirituality within the family and the prevention of health risk behavior among adolescents in Bangkok, Thailand. Social Science & Medicine 71: 1855-1863.
Erickson, J. (1992) Adolescent religious development and commitment: a structural equation model of the role of family, peer group, and educational influences. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 31(2): 131-152.
Fabes, R. A., Carlo, G., Kupinoff, K. and Laible, D. (1999) Early Adolescence and Prosocial/Moral Behavior I: The Role of Individual Processes. Journal of Early Adolescence 19: 5-16.
Francis, L. J., Katz, Y. J., Yablan, Y. and Robbins, M. (2004) Religiousity, Personality, and Happiness: A Study Among Israeli Male Undergraduates. Journal of Happines Studies, 5: 315-333.
Furrow, J. L., King, P. E. and White, K. (2004) Religion and positive youth development: Identity, meaning, and prosocial concerns. Applied Developmental Science 8: 17-26.
GMA Network Inc. (2007) Family ties key to youth happiness - AP-MTV poll. Retrieved on 6 October 6, 2012 from https://www.gmanews.tv/story/56803/Family-ties-key-to-youth-happiness---AP-MTV-poll.
Hansen, D. E., Vandenberg, B. and Patterson, M. L. (1995) The Effects of Religious Orientation on Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Helping Behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences 19: 101-104.
Hardy, S. A. and Carlo, G. (2005) Religiosity and Prosocial Behaviours in Adolescence: the Mediating Role of Prosocial Values. Journal of Moral Education, 34(2): 231-249.
Instilling Goodness School. (2012) Following the Buddha’s Footsteps. Retrieved on November 31, 2012 from https://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm.
Johnson, M. K. (2009) Religiosity and Helping: Do Religious Individuals Volunteer More Help to Religious Organizations than Non-Religious Organizations? Unpublished master’s thesis. Baylor University, Waco, TX.
Joronen, K. (2005) Adolescents’ Subjective Well-being in Their Social Contexts. Tampere: Tampere University Press.
Kittisuksathit, S., Mahaarcha, W., Gray, R. and Rakumnuaykit, P. (2006 23-23 November 2007) Quality of Life and Happiness among Youth in Kanchanaburi Province. Paper presented at the Thai Population Symposium, Bangkok.
Kyoung, O. S. (2010) Religious Identity as a Mediator Between Religious Socialization from Parents, Peers and Mentors, and Psychological Well-being and Adjustment among Korean American Adolescents. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Ma, H. K., Cheung, P. C. and Shek, D. T. L. (2007) The relation of prosocial orientation to peer interactions, family social environment and personality of Chinese adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Development 31(1): 12-18.
Mahaarcha, W. (2010) Happiness of Thai Youths in Kanchanaburi Province.NIDA Development Journal 50(2): 47-70.
Miller, W. R. and Thoresen, C. E. (2003) Spirituality, religion, and health: An emerging research field. American Psychologist 58: 24-35.
National Economic and Social Development Board, Office of the Prime Minister, (NESDB, 2007) Summary the Tenth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011). Bangkok: The National Economic and Social Development Board, Office of the Prime Minister. (in Thai)
National Youth Bureau. (2002) National Youth Policy and National Child and Youth Development Plan (2002-2011). Bangkok: National Youth Bureau, The Prime Minister’s Office. (in Thai)
Nimtongkam, S. (1992) Psychosocial and Background Factors related to Prosocial Behavior of Lower Secondary School Students in Bangkok Metropolis. Unpublished Master Thesis, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Nyanaponika, T. (2012) The Four Sublime States: Contemplations on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel006.html
Oetting, E. R. and Donnermeyer, J. F. (1991) Primary Socialization Theory: The Etiology of Drug Use and Deviance. I. Substance Use and Misuse 33(4): 995-1026.
Pakaslahti, L., Karjalainen, A. and Keltikangas, L. (2002) Relationships between Adolescent Prosocial Problem-Solving Strategies, Prosocial Behaviour, and Social Acceptance. International Journal of Behavioral Development 26: 137-144.
Plamintr, S. (1994) Sunthorn Plamintr’s Getting to Know Buddhism. Bangkok: Buddhadhamma Foundation. Retrieved on October 6, 2012 from https://www.urbandharma.org/udharma2/5precepts.html
Regnerus, M., Smith, C., and Fritsch, M. (2003) Religion in the Lives of American adolescents: A review of the literature. Chapel Hill, NC: National Study of Youth and Religion.
Rich, G. J. (2003) The Positive Psychology of Youth and Adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 3: 1-3.
Santrock, J. W. (1996) Adolescence : An Introduction. Madison: Brown & Benchmark.
Scales, P. C. and Leffert, N. (2004) Developmental assets: A synthesis of the scientific research on adolescent development, 2nd ed., Minnepolis, MN: Search Institute.
Schneider, B., Rice, H. and Hoogstra, L. (2004) The Importance of Religion in Adolescents’ lives. Catholic Education 7: 366-389.
Sethaput, C., Varangratana, A. and Boonchaivatana, T. (1998) 1998 Survey of Thai Youth. Nakorn Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University.
Smith, C. (2003) Theorizing Religious Effects among American Adolescents. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 42(1): 17-30.
Smith, C. and Denton, M. L. (2005) Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. New York: Oxford University Press.
Sriboaunam, J. (2007) Development of a Causal Model of Factors Effecting Virtue of Lower Secondary School Students in Bangkok Metropolis.Unpublished Master Thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Suankhem, A. (1994) Participation of Thai Youths in Buddhist Religious Activities. Unpublished Master Thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Suawannachort, K. (2005) Antecedent Factors of Integration of House, School, and Psychological Characteristics Relating to Good Friend Behavior of Undergraduate Students. Unpublished Master Thesis, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Tancharoen, D. and Maphud, C. (2009) Ethical Socialization of Outstanding Youths of Chachoengsao Province. Journal of Education and Social Development 5: 21-34. (in Thai)
Tapontong, S., Napompech, K. and Kukuan, M. (2005) Behavior of Using Five Precepts in Daily Life of Students in Governments’ Institutions in Bangkok. Proceedings of 43rd Kasetsart University Annual Conference: Education, Agricultural Extension and Communication, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Humanities, Home Economics 1-4 February 2005, pp.76-83.
Tohkani, M. (2011) Emotional Problems and Prosocial Behavior of Adolescents who encounter with Unrest Situation in Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand. Journal of Psychiatric Association of Thailand 56: 363-375.
Wallace, J. M. and Williams, D. R. (1997) Religion and Adolescent Health-Compromising Behavior. In J. Schulenberg and J. L. Maggs(Eds.), Health Risks and Developmental Transitions during Adolescence (pp. 444-468). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Wentzel, K. R., Filisetti, L. and Looney, L. (2007) Adolescent Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Self-Processes and Contextual Cues. Child Development 78: 895-910.
Williams, K. (2007) Pro-Social Behavior [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved on September 24, 2012 from https://www1.psych.purdue.edu/~willia55/240-’07/Lecture15-F.pdf.
Wilson, J. (2001) Shame, guilt, and moral education. Journal of Moral Education 30(1): 71-81.
Yodrabum, S. (2005) Integration of Family, Educational Institute, and Psychological Characteristics as Correlates of Intention to Take Responsibility for Future Family in Undergraduate Male Students. Unpublished Master Thesis, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Batson, C. D. and Gray, R. A. (1981) Religious orientation and helping behavior: Responding to own or to the victim’s needs? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 57(5): 873-884.
Bekkers, R. (2004) Giving and Volunteering in the Netherlands: Sociological and Psychological perspectives. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Utrecht University.
Bekkers, R. and Dirk de Graaf, N. (2005) Field of Education and Prosocial Behavior. Paper prepared for Marktdag Sociologie, June 2, 2005, Brussels.
Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C. and Rude, S. P. (2003) Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence: Toward a Field of Inquiry. Applied Developmental Science 7(3): 205-213.
Beutel, A. M. and Johnson, M. K. (2004) Gender and Prosocial Values during Adolescence: A Research Note. The Sociological Quarterly 45: 379-393.
Boswell, G. E. H. and Boswell-Ford, K. C. (2010) Testing a SEM Model of Two Religious Concepts and Experiential Spirituality. Journal of Religious and Health, 49: 200-211.
Buddhist Learning Club. (2012) Recover House Temple School to Increase Moral of Adolescents. Retrieved on October 27, 2012 from https://blctoday.org/?p=66. (in Thai)
Chamratrithirong, A., Miller, B. A., Byrnes, H. F., Rhucharoenpornpanich, O., Cupp, P. K., Rosati, M. J., Fongkaew, W., Atwood, K. A. and Chookhare, W. (2010) Spirituality within the family and the prevention of health risk behavior among adolescents in Bangkok, Thailand. Social Science & Medicine 71: 1855-1863.
Erickson, J. (1992) Adolescent religious development and commitment: a structural equation model of the role of family, peer group, and educational influences. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 31(2): 131-152.
Fabes, R. A., Carlo, G., Kupinoff, K. and Laible, D. (1999) Early Adolescence and Prosocial/Moral Behavior I: The Role of Individual Processes. Journal of Early Adolescence 19: 5-16.
Francis, L. J., Katz, Y. J., Yablan, Y. and Robbins, M. (2004) Religiousity, Personality, and Happiness: A Study Among Israeli Male Undergraduates. Journal of Happines Studies, 5: 315-333.
Furrow, J. L., King, P. E. and White, K. (2004) Religion and positive youth development: Identity, meaning, and prosocial concerns. Applied Developmental Science 8: 17-26.
GMA Network Inc. (2007) Family ties key to youth happiness - AP-MTV poll. Retrieved on 6 October 6, 2012 from https://www.gmanews.tv/story/56803/Family-ties-key-to-youth-happiness---AP-MTV-poll.
Hansen, D. E., Vandenberg, B. and Patterson, M. L. (1995) The Effects of Religious Orientation on Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Helping Behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences 19: 101-104.
Hardy, S. A. and Carlo, G. (2005) Religiosity and Prosocial Behaviours in Adolescence: the Mediating Role of Prosocial Values. Journal of Moral Education, 34(2): 231-249.
Instilling Goodness School. (2012) Following the Buddha’s Footsteps. Retrieved on November 31, 2012 from https://online.sfsu.edu/rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm.
Johnson, M. K. (2009) Religiosity and Helping: Do Religious Individuals Volunteer More Help to Religious Organizations than Non-Religious Organizations? Unpublished master’s thesis. Baylor University, Waco, TX.
Joronen, K. (2005) Adolescents’ Subjective Well-being in Their Social Contexts. Tampere: Tampere University Press.
Kittisuksathit, S., Mahaarcha, W., Gray, R. and Rakumnuaykit, P. (2006 23-23 November 2007) Quality of Life and Happiness among Youth in Kanchanaburi Province. Paper presented at the Thai Population Symposium, Bangkok.
Kyoung, O. S. (2010) Religious Identity as a Mediator Between Religious Socialization from Parents, Peers and Mentors, and Psychological Well-being and Adjustment among Korean American Adolescents. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Ma, H. K., Cheung, P. C. and Shek, D. T. L. (2007) The relation of prosocial orientation to peer interactions, family social environment and personality of Chinese adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Development 31(1): 12-18.
Mahaarcha, W. (2010) Happiness of Thai Youths in Kanchanaburi Province.NIDA Development Journal 50(2): 47-70.
Miller, W. R. and Thoresen, C. E. (2003) Spirituality, religion, and health: An emerging research field. American Psychologist 58: 24-35.
National Economic and Social Development Board, Office of the Prime Minister, (NESDB, 2007) Summary the Tenth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-2011). Bangkok: The National Economic and Social Development Board, Office of the Prime Minister. (in Thai)
National Youth Bureau. (2002) National Youth Policy and National Child and Youth Development Plan (2002-2011). Bangkok: National Youth Bureau, The Prime Minister’s Office. (in Thai)
Nimtongkam, S. (1992) Psychosocial and Background Factors related to Prosocial Behavior of Lower Secondary School Students in Bangkok Metropolis. Unpublished Master Thesis, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Nyanaponika, T. (2012) The Four Sublime States: Contemplations on Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity. Retrieved on November 24, 2012 from https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel006.html
Oetting, E. R. and Donnermeyer, J. F. (1991) Primary Socialization Theory: The Etiology of Drug Use and Deviance. I. Substance Use and Misuse 33(4): 995-1026.
Pakaslahti, L., Karjalainen, A. and Keltikangas, L. (2002) Relationships between Adolescent Prosocial Problem-Solving Strategies, Prosocial Behaviour, and Social Acceptance. International Journal of Behavioral Development 26: 137-144.
Plamintr, S. (1994) Sunthorn Plamintr’s Getting to Know Buddhism. Bangkok: Buddhadhamma Foundation. Retrieved on October 6, 2012 from https://www.urbandharma.org/udharma2/5precepts.html
Regnerus, M., Smith, C., and Fritsch, M. (2003) Religion in the Lives of American adolescents: A review of the literature. Chapel Hill, NC: National Study of Youth and Religion.
Rich, G. J. (2003) The Positive Psychology of Youth and Adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 3: 1-3.
Santrock, J. W. (1996) Adolescence : An Introduction. Madison: Brown & Benchmark.
Scales, P. C. and Leffert, N. (2004) Developmental assets: A synthesis of the scientific research on adolescent development, 2nd ed., Minnepolis, MN: Search Institute.
Schneider, B., Rice, H. and Hoogstra, L. (2004) The Importance of Religion in Adolescents’ lives. Catholic Education 7: 366-389.
Sethaput, C., Varangratana, A. and Boonchaivatana, T. (1998) 1998 Survey of Thai Youth. Nakorn Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University.
Smith, C. (2003) Theorizing Religious Effects among American Adolescents. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 42(1): 17-30.
Smith, C. and Denton, M. L. (2005) Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. New York: Oxford University Press.
Sriboaunam, J. (2007) Development of a Causal Model of Factors Effecting Virtue of Lower Secondary School Students in Bangkok Metropolis.Unpublished Master Thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Suankhem, A. (1994) Participation of Thai Youths in Buddhist Religious Activities. Unpublished Master Thesis, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Suawannachort, K. (2005) Antecedent Factors of Integration of House, School, and Psychological Characteristics Relating to Good Friend Behavior of Undergraduate Students. Unpublished Master Thesis, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)
Tancharoen, D. and Maphud, C. (2009) Ethical Socialization of Outstanding Youths of Chachoengsao Province. Journal of Education and Social Development 5: 21-34. (in Thai)
Tapontong, S., Napompech, K. and Kukuan, M. (2005) Behavior of Using Five Precepts in Daily Life of Students in Governments’ Institutions in Bangkok. Proceedings of 43rd Kasetsart University Annual Conference: Education, Agricultural Extension and Communication, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Humanities, Home Economics 1-4 February 2005, pp.76-83.
Tohkani, M. (2011) Emotional Problems and Prosocial Behavior of Adolescents who encounter with Unrest Situation in Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand. Journal of Psychiatric Association of Thailand 56: 363-375.
Wallace, J. M. and Williams, D. R. (1997) Religion and Adolescent Health-Compromising Behavior. In J. Schulenberg and J. L. Maggs(Eds.), Health Risks and Developmental Transitions during Adolescence (pp. 444-468). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Wentzel, K. R., Filisetti, L. and Looney, L. (2007) Adolescent Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Self-Processes and Contextual Cues. Child Development 78: 895-910.
Williams, K. (2007) Pro-Social Behavior [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved on September 24, 2012 from https://www1.psych.purdue.edu/~willia55/240-’07/Lecture15-F.pdf.
Wilson, J. (2001) Shame, guilt, and moral education. Journal of Moral Education 30(1): 71-81.
Yodrabum, S. (2005) Integration of Family, Educational Institute, and Psychological Characteristics as Correlates of Intention to Take Responsibility for Future Family in Undergraduate Male Students. Unpublished Master Thesis, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand. (in Thai)