Youth Home Leaving and Conversion to Pentecostalism in the Anglo-Saxon University Neighbourhoods in Cameroon
Mungwia Francis Yuh, Fomba Emmanuel Mbebeb, Bonnwong Bruno

Abstract
Youth home leaving to study and stay independently is a major transition marker to adulthood. It is a big step toward adulthood that influences existential crisis among young people. This crisis often leads to religious contemplations and conversion. The question is whether home leaving influences youth religious conversion to Pentecostalism among young students in university neighbourhoods in Cameroon. Within the theoretical framework of moral development theory, the study investigates youth home leaving, as a marker of youth transition to adulthood and conversion into Pentecostalism. Participants were 400 youths in university neighbourhoods in Buea and Bamanda, recruited from legalized traditional and Pentecostal Churches in youth residential areas. The purposive non-probability sampling technique was used to collect the data. An instrument with a determined reliability coefficient was used to collect information. Data were entered into SPSS and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis reported that youth home leaving was able to predict variations in perceived youth conversion into Pentecostalism. Findings showed that youth home leaving as an extrinsic determinant of religious conversion is critical in transforming young people into Pentecostalism in University neighborhoods in Cameroon. Recommendations were made on how to help the youths and their parents navigate their transition into adulthood successfully without confusion or duress in their spiritual ventures.

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