Does forming a nuclear family increase religiosity? Longitudinal evidence from the British Household Panel Survey

Abstract This study investigates how far the nuclear family—in terms of entering cohabitation and marriage having a first second child—affects religious salience, attendance, activity in organizations. Previous research has shown that individuals are more likely to marry, have higher fertility, than non-religious individuals. Less is known about family also affects religiosity. presents longitudinal evidence on factors change within life-course after or child up 14 waves British Household Panel Survey collected between 1991 2009. The comparison cross-sectional results indicates affect formation processes. All investigated (salience, activity) increased when people became parents, as well they married, but not started cohabit. Most these effects long-lasting hold across age, gender cohort groups.