ORTHODOX CATECHISM AFFECTS GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ADOLESCENTS' NEEDS FOR AFFILIATION AND ACHIEVEMENT AND ALTERS THEIR SENSE OF PURPOSE IN LIFE

Studies conducted among Catholics and Protestants have shown higher levels of prayer and religious experience among women compared to men and have suggested that these gender diff erences may be a refl ection of diff erences in personality and socialization. However, the impact of orthodox religion on adolescents’ psychological and social wellbeing remains unknown. Th e aim of this study was to investigate the infl uence of Orthodox religious studies (Orthodox Catechism) on gender diff erences in adolescents’ needs for affi liation and achievement and their eff ect on adolescents’ attitudes about their purpose in life. Th is study is the fi rst to show that Orthodox Catechism affects adolescents’ needs for affi liative and achievement motivation in a gender-dependent manner. Orthodox Catechism enhances the competition motives of male adolescents and has a signifi cant infl uence on the development of emotional support and goal achievement as well as providing a source of pleasure for female adolescents. Th us, the Orthodox Catechism is related to gender diff erences in adolescents’ sense of purpose in life. In conclusion, our fi ndings emphasize the eff ects of the Orthodox Catechism on the expression of adolescents’ psycho-emotional characteristics, demonstrating that the Orthodox religion has a positive infl uence on adolescents’ needs for affi liation and achievement and aff ects their attitudes about their purpose in life.