The Role of Conscientiousness in the Religious and Moral Functioning of Young Adults
The Role of Conscientiousness in the Religious and Moral Functioning of Young Adults

Summary/Abstract: According to the Five-Factor Model of Personality by Paul Costa and Robert R. McCrae, a conscientious person is strong-willed, self-motivated, persistent and dutiful. All these predispositions can also be used in the religious and moral sphere. The period of early adulthood is a  developmental period abounding in tasks that require conscientiousness, and, at the same time, it provides many opportunities to make moral and religious choices. The purpose of this article is to analyse the relationship between conscientiousness as well as moral and religious functioning of young adults. This study juxtaposes in a theoretical way conscientiousness as a personality trait as well as moral and religious abilities of those in early adulthood. For this purpose, a qualitative analysis was conducted based on scientific psychological theories and the results of sociological and psychological studies. The comparison led to the conclusion that conscientiousness is linked with the moral and religious aspect, and that its factors such as dutifullness and self-control can support religious and moral functioning of young adults. Dutifulness can support an individual in striving for consistency between professed norms and decisions made. Self-discipline allows for the realization of these norms, especially when a person must confront them with other life challenges. It also paves the way for further research and helps create effective methods to aid in the fulfilment of developmental tasks during early adulthood.

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