Final answer:
The increase in spirituality during adulthood noted by Bjorklund depends on individual life choices. This growth is influenced by experiences such as marriages, illness, dealing with death, and one's support system, as well as personal perceptions and search for meaning. Spirituality is more adaptable and personal than organized religion and changes with life stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bjorklund noted that there is an increase in spirituality during adulthood, but the timing depends on life choices. Activities and circumstances throughout life can lead to a deeper connection with spirituality. For many, this connection deepens through experiencing key life events such as marriage or facing the challenges of illness and the possibility of an afterlife, and is often influenced by one's support system and individual perceptions.
During adulthood, individuals often discover or cultivate their spiritual beliefs, which can differ significantly from organized religion. Spirituality tends to be more personal and adaptable, changing with the individual's life experiences and circumstances. The growth in spirituality during adulthood is intimately linked with self-discovery and the quest for meaning, particularly as adults face the inevitability of death and search for comfort within their belief systems.
As such, the decision to identify as spiritual and when this occurs in a person's life is highly variable and based on a multitude of factors, including one's life choices and the influences they encounter as they transition through various stages of life. This may include the impact of religious ceremonies during infancy and adolescence, the pursuit of education, the development of a strong sense of self, and the coping with life stresses and loss.