Research

For many young people throughout the United States, the concluding months of every calendar year mark a time of celebration. Religious and secular holidays alike dot these final months: Diwali, Mawlid, Thanksgiving, the anniversary of Guru Nanak’s birth (founder of Sikhism), Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Advent, Winter Solstice, HumanLight, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Eighty-seven percent of young people ages 13–25 tell us they

No matter the outcome, trusted adults need to #showupforyoungpeople  In our team meetings leading up to this week, we’ve been discussing the election. During our most recent conversation, we came to a question: How are we at Springtide putting into practice the values we learn from our own data? In particular

Loneliness and social isolation among young people at threatening levels before COVID-19  I know that it may seem too early to be talking about an emerging threat when many of us, myself included, are hunkered down with stay-at-home orders due to Covid-19. The health consequences of coronavirus are troubling and heartbreaking.  But there is something else

Findings suggest ways faith leaders can facilitate belonging and mitigate loneliness in young people A new survey by Springtide Research Institute found that for many young adults, shelter in place and social distancing provokes fear and uncertainty, leading to increased levels of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. The survey found that

Even before the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, young people were increasingly distrustful of large institutions. Our own research for Belonging: Reconnecting America’s Loneliest Generation confirms what other national research agencies have been reporting for years. Namely, distrust of institutions is at an all-time high, especially for 13-to-25-year-olds. However, our research went a step further: although young people

Listening to the voices of young people, we are reminded that a professional title, job description, or credential isn’t what gives an adult credibility in a young person’s life. Relationships do. And those relationships are built intentionally and over time.  Gracie O’Rorke, a first-year student at Vanderbilt University, notes that effective leaders also encourage relationships among those they serve.  I was

One of the most astonishing statistics from our report is that nearly 1/3 of young people say they have 1 or fewer adults in their life they feel they can turn to if they need to talk. This is heartbreaking and calls for immediate action.  Adults continue to be the most important