"The editors and their colleagues have helped us to think about ways to promote positive youth development and, more specifically, how to support young people in contributing to the development of a more civil society . . . Such work will provide practitioners and policymakers and young people themselves with the evidence they need to improve programs and policies and enhance the positive development of all young people." —From the Foreword by Rick Little, founder, International Youth Foundation; President and CEO, ImagineNations Group

Making a contribution to the greater good is a hallmark of positive youth development (PYD). This first work to explore authentic, empirical connections between spirituality, generosity, and PYD, Thriving and Spirituality Among Youth features a vibrant and diverse collection of chapters based on research from scholars representing a wide array of fields—including biology, sociology, and theology. This groundbreaking resource draws on cutting-edge theory, methodology, and technology to provide recommendations for implementing practices that support youth success in both their private and public lives.

Drawing on research conducted with diverse groups, including immigrants to the U.S. (for example, Hispanic youth), youth from different nations (for instance China and Israel), and youth of different religions (for example, Christians, Muslim, and Jews), this book integrates qualitative data, physiological and brain imaging data, and a variety of quantitative information to shed light on PYD, including:

• The neuronal and physiological dimensions of spirituality and PYD

• Associations between meditation and emotion regulation

• The dynamic developmental processes involved in Great Love-Compassion

• Developmental trajectories of religious conversion

• Religious adolescents' views of success and spirituality

• The relationship between ethnic and religious identity

• The interplay of self-transcendence and psychological maturity

• The role of religion and religious organizations in adaptation

• Religious belief systems and their relationship to PYD

Thriving and Spirituality Among Youth launches a new and exciting empirical phase in the study of spiritual development within the social and behavioral sciences that sets a baseline in how spiritual development in youth will be measured.