The Correlation of Intergenerational Faith on Black Families

Parent-child relationships play a significant role in predicting human behavior during childhood development. As more individuals become religiously unaffiliated, this research explored the factors contributing to this reality. Many studies have highlighted the correlation of parents on behavior; however, few have examined the intergenerational closeness and religiosity within Black families in America. The primary goal of this study was to assess the correlation of parent-child closeness on intrinsic religiosity among Black families. The research asked the following question: Does parent-child closeness positively correlate with intrinsic religiosity among adult Black children? The sample consisted of 73 Black adults aged 18 years and older from a non-denominational church in the Central New Jersey area. A quantitative survey study was conducted using simple regression methodology. The survey included two instruments that measured both father-child and mother-child closeness and intrinsic religiosity as a motivational factor in daily living. SPSS Statistics 30 was used for data analysis. The results revealed no significant correlation between parent-child closeness and intrinsic religiosity among Black adult children. However, the participants reported high levels of intrinsic religiosity. The implications of these findings suggest that parent-child closeness was not related to religiosity in Black adults. Nevertheless, religious socialization may enhance intrinsic religiosity among adult Black children. Future researchers should investigate the correlation of religious socialization on intrinsic religiosity.