Religion and human development in adulthood: Well-being, prosocial behavior, and religious and spiritual development.

Abstract

In recent years there has been an upsurge in research and publication in the psychology of religion, including work with implications for adult development. This article reviews the relevant literature, considering themes such as religion and spirituality and well-being in the adult years; religion, prosocial, and antisocial behavior; and models of religious and spiritual development incorporating life stages in the adult years. Practical implications for education, psychotherapy, and other domains in applied developmental psychology are considered.