Tradition and Transition: Mapping Asia’s SBNR Identities Amidst Radical Ideologies

Abstract

This PRISMA-guided systematic review examines how "spiritual but not religious" (SBNR) identities among Asian young adults are shaped by national conservatism and current gender ideology, including their meanings, practices, well-being and social positioning. The article, based on papers published between 2010 and 2025, identifies three geographical patterns: value-based, nationalist spirituality in South Asia; personalized, disaffiliated spiritual expressions in East Asia; and higher-education-mediated SBNR orientations in Gulf/West Asia. Ideological influences reshape social hierarchies across regions, whereas inclusive spiritual practices provide limited but meaningful alignment with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The authors highlight the importance of cross-national and longitudinal research.