Lead Scientist, Kelly McDermott, publishes in Rites of Passage Research
Rites of Passage, Mental Health, and Social Connection
Kelly McDermott and colleagues examined how coming-of-age experiences may support mental health and social connection among young adults in the United States. Using a retrospective survey of 860 participants, the study found that the number of rituals experienced was less important than the meaning and quality of those experiences.
Participants who described rites of passage that fostered connection to nature or something larger than themselves—and included meaningful elements such as giving something up or receiving a symbolic marker of transition—reported stronger mental health and coping. Because the study was retrospective and observational, the findings identify important associations rather than proving causation. The research highlights the potential value of intentional, culturally grounded coming-of-age experiences in supporting youth well-being and belonging.
Ongoing Research with the Rites of Passage Institute
Kelly McDermott is leading an ongoing academic-community collaboration with the Rites of Passage Institute in Australia to evaluate its Making of Men program. The study follows adolescent participants and their parents before the program, immediately afterward, and one month later to examine potential changes in health and well-being, self-esteem, sense of purpose, coping, social connection, family functioning, and parent-child relationships.
By moving beyond participant-satisfaction surveys, the project aims to strengthen the evidence base for contemporary coming-of-age programs and provide ROPI with useful findings to inform future programming. Data collection is ongoing, and findings are not yet available.
