A longitudinal study of psychosocial changes among Thai adolescents participating in a Buddhist ordination program for novices.

摘要: Little is known about the effects of intense spiritual practice among teenage youth. In present study, 170 adolescent males in Thailand were assessed regarding immediate and long-term behavioral, emotional, devotional consequences participation a six-week Buddhist monastic program. An additional 114 equivalent age, who regard to changes following demanding extracurricular English language course, served as controls. Their parents' perceptions also examined. The results indicated that reported by youths ordination group highly positive, enduring, different pattern from ratings two parent groups significantly each other, analogous those their children. practical theoretical implications findings are discussed.