College students often question their faith because of the intolerant or hypocritical behaviors of religious groups, and while these doubts can increase emotional distress, they also frequently foster intellectual humility and an open-minded search for meaning. These nuanced effects of questioning one’s faith are detailed in newly published research in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. In the United States, religious affiliation has steadily declined over the past few decades. A growing number of young adults identify as nonreligious, often leaving the traditions in which they were raised. Sociologists and psychologists sometimes refer to this demographic of formerly religious individuals as the “Dones.” Julie J. Exline, a researcher at the University of Virginia, led a team to investigate how questioning faith affects mental health and personal growth. Exline and her colleagues focused specifically on college students, as the transition to adulthood is typically a time of intense identity exploration. During this developmental window, young adults often encounter new ideas that challenge their childhood worldviews. To understand this process, psychologists look at how people build …