Research
01 Aims of research project
SBNR Identity
Our research seeks to understand what it means to identify as spiritual but not religious (SBNR) in a variety of cultural settings. We aim to explore how SBNR individuals define their spirituality and how this identity interacts with local cultural, social, and environmental factors. By conducting in-depth interviews and analyzing data from the “Global Flourishing Study” within and across 22 countries, we will examine the diverse experiences and meanings that are related with SBNR identities. This approach allows us to capture both personal narratives and broader cultural trends that shape spirituality beyond traditional religious frameworks.
SBNR Families
Drawing on theories from developmental and cultural evolutionary psychology, our research investigates how spiritual beliefs, practices, and values are socialized and transmitted within families. We are working towards identifying both key pathways through which spirituality is carried across generations, and the challenges parents might face in shaping the spiritual lives of their children. Our multi-method approach aims to provide insights into how spirituality takes root and spreads within the context of families - shedding new light on the spiritual lives of individuals in the UK, USA, and Canada.
SBNR and Meaning-Making
Our research uses both philosophical and psychological resources for understanding the ways that the spiritual but not religious (SBNR) pursue meaning. Anchored in the Religion and Meaning-Making Lab (RAMM Lab) at Trinity Western University, our team is analyzing existing data on religion and meaning making as well as the emerging data from the Objects of Spiritual Yearning Project.