The Post-Bridging Survey Project

Overview

The Post-Bridging Survey Project was a longitudinal study of Unitarian Universalist emerging adults who bridged at the end of the 2013-2014 church year. A series of five surveys (distributed from September 2014 to December 2017) elicited both qualitative and quantitative responses in four categories: public involvement with the faith, personal relationship with the faith, future plans involving the faith, and personal fulfillment.

By acquiring a better understanding of these changes, and by collecting the opinions and advice of participants, this project aimed to identify how Unitarian Universalism could change to better support our emerging adults.

This project was conducted by Emily Parker, an emerging adult who bridged at the end of the 2013-2014 church year. All survey results (excluding names, contact information, and demographic information) and research by Emily are published on this website for public use. For more information, please contact Emily at cosgrove.parker@gmail.com.

Publications and Presentations

Beyond the Bridge: A Study of Unitarian Universalist Emerging Adults

This study represents the culmination of the four-year survey project as well as extensive research on emerging adulthood, Unitarian Universalism, and youth retention. Completed as a senior research project at Juniata College, findings were presented at the 2018 Juniata College Liberal Arts Symposium and at the 2018 UUA General Assembly.

Read or skim the complete study. Section 4.2, "Implications for Unitarian Universalism," may be of particular interest.

No Young People in the Pews: A Study of Unitarian Universalist Emerging Adults

Presented at the Juniata College 2018 Liberal Arts Symposium

Abstract: The transition from youth to emerging adulthood tends to mark a significant decline in religious participation across American religious traditions, and this decline is especially marked in more liberal Christian traditions. Unitarian Universalists, an extremely liberal American religious minority, are concerned by their perceived loss of emerging adults, yet almost no data exists on Unitarian Universalist emerging adults. In order to improve understanding of how their relationships with the faith change, I collected longitudinal data on 39 Unitarian Universalists who became emerging adults in 2014. A series of five surveys (distributed from September 2014 to December 2017) elicited both qualitative and quantitative responses in four categories: public involvement with the faith, personal relationship with the faith, future plans involving the faith, and personal fulfillment. Survey responses most notably show decrease in public involvement yet hope for increased future involvement. I present trends in my data and relate my original research to national research on emerging adults and religion. I argue that when highly involved Unitarian Universalist youth transition into emerging adulthood, while they express significant dissatisfaction with the transition process, they reimagine their relationships with the faith and carry great hope.

Results

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr. Don Braxton, Bart Frost, Jennica Davis-Hockett, Rev. Annie Gonzalez Milliken, Carey McDonald, Steven Ballesteros, Yvonne Marcoux, Luka Coole, and all survey respondents for your support and advice.

Related Readings

"What's In A Name?" Bart Frost. Blue Boat Blog. April 18, 2019. uua.org/blueboat/voices/whats-name

For readings that informed "Beyond the Bridge: A Study of Unitarian Universalist Emerging Adults," please see the Bibliography.