Study Finds Religious Teens are Happier

STUDY FINDS RELIGIOUS TEENS ARE HAPPIER
(Hillsborough, North Carolina-AP) -- A nationwide survey
indicates that teens who are actively involved in religion are
more likely to be optimistic, enjoy school and have a positive
self-image than those who don't.
University of North Carolina sociology professor Christian
Smith is director of the National Study of Youth and Religion,
which asked 12th-graders to respond to questions about
themselves.
He says those who worship, attend religious youth groups
and consider their faith important "were less likely to feel
hopeless, felt good to be alive, felt life was meaningful" and
had good feelings about themselves.
Smith says that should encourage religious parents and
challenge houses of worship to emphasize their youth ministries.