Religion as a Resource? The Impact of Religiosity on the Sense of Purpose in Life of Young Muslim Refugees in Germany

Daniel Engel; Marcus Penthin; Manfred Pirner; Ulrich Riegel

doi:10.25071/1920-7336.41258

Authors

Daniel Engel Department of Catholic Theology, University of Siegen, Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5394-7105
Marcus Penthin Department of Didactics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8478-3847
Manfred Pirner Department of Didactics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6641-4690
Ulrich Riegel Department of Catholic Theology, University of Siegen, Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9423-9092

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.41258

Keywords:

adolescents, refugees, immigration, religiosity, Islam, meaning of life, purpose in life

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and purpose in life among young Muslim refugees (n = 222; Mage = 20.18 years) in Germany, a topic little explored to date. Consistent with previous research, respondents felt a moderate but positive sense of purpose in life, which was fostered by religiosity. Regression analysis demonstrated that even after controlling for physical health and social support, religiosity remained a substantial predictor of purpose in life; its effect size did not differ significantly from the other two variables in the model. The findings emphasize the importance of religiosity and social support for young Muslim refugees’ well-being.

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Author Biographies

Daniel Engel, Department of Catholic Theology, University of Siegen, Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Daniel Engel is a Research Assistant at the Chair of Practical Theology and Religious Education in the Department of Catholic Theology at the University of Siegen. He can be reached at daniel.engel@uni-siegen.de.

Marcus Penthin, Department of Didactics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany

Marcus Penthin is a Research Assistant at the Chair of Religious Education and Didactics of Protestant Religious Education in the Department of Didactics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He can be reached at marcus.penthin@fau.de.

Manfred Pirner, Department of Didactics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany

Manfred Pirner is a Chair and an Ordinary Professor of Religious Education in the Department of Didactics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He can be reached at manfred.pirner@fau.de.

Ulrich Riegel, Department of Catholic Theology, University of Siegen, Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Ulrich Riegel is a Professor of Catholic Theology, Practical Theology and Religious Education in the Department of Catholic Theology at the University of Siegen. He can be reached at ulrich.riegel@uni-siegen.de.

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