The prevailing mood among American teens has shifted dramatically in the past half-decade to a more “upbeat, optimistic, and self-reliant perspective,” according to research from the Barna Research Group. Results from a recent survey suggest that teens are now more satisfied with their lives, showing more interest in school and wanting a greater “breadth of life adventures and experiences” compared to teens of a decade ago.

The survey showed that “teens are more likely to say they are satisfied with their life, look forward to a challenging future, feel intelligent and attractive, and can optimistically face tomorrow because they trust most other people.”

According to the study, teens of today continue to be “among the most spiritually interested individuals in the nation.” But while interest levels in Christianity are high, there does not seem to be corresponding changes in the “lifestyle and values of most teens.”

The study also concludes that acceptance of pluralism and moral relativism among teens has eroded their allegiance to organized, mainstream Christianity. Over the past five years, there has been a decline from 10 percent to 4 percent in the number of teens who could be called “evangelical Christians”—that is, those who say they are “born again,” who believe in the accuracy of the Bible, and who hold biblical views on God, Jesus, Satan, and the doctrine of salvation by grace. For more information about the Barna study, go to www.barna.org.