Who Are the "Dones" and Why Does It Matter? An Overview of the Research and a Quantitative Study of Disaffiliated College Students

Based on the personal and professional experience with college students at a Protestant Christian university, the researchers designed a research study that explores how emerging adults who have disaffiliated from a Christian tradition understand faith, articulate why they are “done” with the church, and want to receive spiritual care. This article is part one of a two-part exploration of the results of this study, which triangulates data points for a deep understanding of emerging adults who are “done” with church. Part one overviews the research on emerging adult spirituality and specifically the trend of religious disaffiliation among 18-29 year olds. This article then articulates the methodology and results of the quantitative portion of this study, which featured a survey of college students at a Protestant Christian university that identify as “done.” In the survey, the participants shared both beneficial and harmful experiences they have had in religious spaces and how they ultimately ended up disaffiliating from church. Part two of this article explores the qualitative portion of this study, including an analysis and application of the results.