SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING EXPERIENCES OF ADOLESCENTS WHO ENGAGE IN RELIGIOUS WORSHIP: AN IPA APPROACH

Abstract

Adolescence is defined as a transitional period from childhood to adulthood, starting from the early teenage years extending into the early twenties. It is often associated with challenges as it is a time when teenagers strive to discover their identity. In this context, spirituality can serve as a crucial tool in helping to address various adolescent developmental issues. Therefore, this research conducts an in-depth examination of spiritual well-being (SWB) dimensions in terms of religious well-being (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB) among adolescents who engage in religious worship, while also identifying multiple factors that drive adolescents to engage in worship. This study was conducted with three participants from different religious backgrounds using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a qualitative research approach focused on detailed exploration of the subjects' life experiences. Four themes were reviewed in the research findings, including worship, perceptions of God, social relationships, and personal life. Based on these findings, it is concluded that two research participants had a positive relationship with God and were able to find meaning in their worship routine, which enables them to better understand themselves, have clear life purposes, and experience a relatively high overall life satisfaction. However, one of the participants showed a strong sense of meaning of life, such as having a clear life purpose and life satisfaction in alternatives to a positive perception of God. Nonetheless, this participant did not find deep meaning in the practice of religious worship.