Exploring Youth Religiosity: Research Among Catholic Confirmands in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Split–Makarska

Abstract

This paper presents research on some aspects of youth religiosity among Catholic Confir mation candidates in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Split–Makarska, Croatia, as part of a broader 2020 study aimed at asse-ssing confirmands’ satisfaction with Confirmation preparation. Howe-ver, this paper specifically focuses on selected variables related to youth religiosity. Conducted on a sample of 473 confirmands using a non-probabilistic sampling method, this study employed a survey to measure some aspects of personal and actual religiosity, including indicators such as religious self-identification, the importance of faith, the frequency of Mass attendance, and the frequency of per sonal and family prayer. Fin-dings reveal that confirmands with a strong religious self-identification are more engaged in religious practices, with frequent Mass attendance and the practice of both per sonal and family prayer. Sociodemographic variables, including gender and parental education, did not showasigni-ficant effect on these aspects of youth religiosity, while settlement size correlated with religious self-identification and the frequency of Mass attendance. Confirmands from smaller, but not from the smallest settle-ments, demonstrated higher religiosity, consistent with modernization theory, which suggests that urban settings may encourage secularization trends. These findings highlight the importance of pastoral strategies that support both communal and personalized expressions of faith, empha-sizing the need for further research to understand evolving patterns of youth religiosity within the Croatian context.