A review and conceptual model of the research on doubt, disaffiliation, and related religious changes

This essay reviews the research in psychology, as well as anthropology, religious studies, and sociology on changes related to exiting religion, and organizes the relevant constructs into a conceptual model to illustrate a process that an individual transitioning toward irreligion may experience. Specific constructs examined include questioning, doubt, reconfiguration of faith, switching, changes to irreligious identities or "deconversion," disaffiliation, and opposition to previously held religious beliefs. Limitations and problems regarding the constructs and accompanying research are discussed utilizing recent advances in the literature such as Cragun and Hammer's (2011) work on proreligious hegemony and bias in terminology. Finally, suggestions for future research are discussed, and implications for clinicians working with individuals experiencing religious changes are outlined.