Volume 6 Nomor 2 . Pages 226-240 Edubase : Journal of Basic Education Email Journal : edubase. bbc@gmail. Web Journal: https://jurnal. id/index. php/edubase/index Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline Aguslani Mushlih 1* UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon. Cirebon. Indonesia Received: 2025-07-23. Revised: 2025-09-02. Accepted: 2025-09-02 Abstract This study investigates the influence of parenting styles on studentsAo religious character, with worship discipline as a mediating factor. It addresses a research gap by integrating parenting and religious habituation into a single model of character formation. Using a quantitative approach with correlational-verification design, the study surveyed 200 junior high school students in Cianjur. Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that parenting style has a significant effect on both worship discipline and religious character, with worship discipline acting as a partial The model demonstrates good fit and predictive relevance (QA > 0. , highlighting the crucial role of family-based religious routines. These findings suggest that religious character can be strengthened through consistent parental involvement and structured spiritual practices at home. The study offers a novel empirical contribution by positioning worship discipline as a behavioral bridge between parenting and religious values in youth development. Keywords: Parenting. Worship Discipline. Religious Character This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. *Corresponding Author: Aguslani Mushlih UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon. Indonesia Jl. Perjuangan ByPass Sunyaragi Cirebon. Cirebon City. West Java Province. Email: aguslani. mushlih@gmail. EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 227 of 240 INTRODUCTION Religious character is one of the fundamental components in shaping an individualAos overall personality, encompassing moral reasoning, ethical behavior, and spiritual awareness. It reflects the extent to which a person internalizes religious teachings and applies them in everyday life. According to recent research, religious character is defined as a person's thoughts, words, and actions based on religious understanding and divine values, which foster obedience in worship, tolerance, and harmonious relationships with others (Ali et al. , 2. Developing this character requires intentional effort through education and consistent daily Teachers play a critical role in this process by serving as educators, mentors, and role models, guiding students in religious practices and instilling values such as honesty, discipline, and empathy (Primandini & Sunarso, 2. Furthermore. Rosadi et al. , . emphasized that school policy plays a strategic role in shaping studentsAo religious character . Additionally, parenting also contributes significantly to early character formation, especially through democratic styles that integrate religious values into daily life routines (Izzatunnisa & Mutiawati, 2. Research also supports the use of theoretical construction models in measuring religious character based on intellect, belief, rituals, and moral actions to systematically build educational strategies (Hajaroh et al. , 2. Despite the acknowledged importance of religious character, a significant decline in religious attitudes among children and adolescents is observable. The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia reported that while the national religious moderation index stands at 74. the tolerance dimension scored the lowest at 60. 6, revealing a lack of mutual respect in religious life (Triono, 2. Additionally, the SETARA Institute recorded 155 violations of religious freedom across 26 provinces in 2017 (Naipospos, 2. These figures indicate ongoing challenges in fostering a religiously tolerant and morally upright generation. Furthermore, previous studies have generally explored the role of either parenting or religious practices in isolation, often neglecting how these variables might interact. There is a clear gap in understanding how religious character develops within the family context through both parenting styles and consistent religious discipline. Literature also reflects inconsistencies in findingsAisome studies report a strong influence of parenting on children's religiosity, while others find weaker or non-significant correlations. Although social data indicate a decline in religious attitudes among younger generations, numerous studies affirm that teachers continue to hold a strategic role in shaping studentsAo religious character. Teachers serve as role models who demonstrate religious values through daily behavior and interactions with students, making exemplary conduct a cornerstone of character education (Cohen-Malayev. Schachter, & Rich, 2014. Wasehudin et al. , 2. This role is not confined to formal instruction but also includes integrating religious values into non-religious subjects, such as physical education, which has been shown to foster faith, piety, and tolerance (Muhtar. Supriyadi. Lengkana, & Hanifah, 2. Moreover, teachers are involved in the development of religious education materials based on religious moderation to prevent intolerance and radicalism (Maemonah. Zuhri. Masturin. Syafii, & Aziz, 2. addition, teachersAo personal beliefs and spirituality influence their pedagogical approaches, including in interfaith contexts, as observed in Catholic schools in Ireland and South Korea (Cho & Heinz, 2. However, other studies highlight the challenges teachers face in balancing personal beliefs with professional responsibilities, thereby emphasizing the need for continuous professional development to enable them to integrate religious values effectively into the curriculum (Nelson & Yang, 2023. Zakiyyah, 2. Overall, teachers have been found to significantly foster positive student behaviors such as honesty, environmental concern, and tolerance (Harisa, 2019. Sastra Negara. Hidayat, & Mulkhan, 2. , although most studies remain focused on the formal school setting without sufficiently linking this role to family factors or parenting practices. Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 228 of 240 Beyond the role of teachers in schools, other studies demonstrate that parenting styles are also a crucial factor in shaping childrenAos religiosity. Previous research shows that parental religiosity often correlates with parenting practices, though the relationship is not always For example, a study in the Netherlands found a weak relationship between parental religiosity and parenting goals such as fostering childrenAos autonomy (Vermeer, 2. , while another study revealed that religiosity was positively associated with adaptive parenting styles and conservation-oriented goals (Duriez. Soenens. Neyrinck, & Vansteenkiste, 2. Furthermore, the quality of the parentAechild relationship significantly influences the transmission of religious values, where warmth and closeness enhance religiosity, while conflictAiparticularly in fatherAeson relationshipsAican also strengthen religious commitment in adolescents (Stearns & McKinney, 2018, 2. Gender differences have also been documented, with maternal interactions having a stronger effect on daughtersAo religiosity, especially when parental behavioral problems are present (Stearns & McKinney, 2. addition, authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth and support, has been shown to effectively enhance childrenAos religiosity and social skills, whereas authoritarian parenting tends to produce negative outcomes, such as poor mental health and increased delinquency (Caputo, 2004. Eti, 2. Other studies emphasize the significance of the overall religious family climate, including spousal agreement on religious matters, as part of the complex process of religious socialization (Grob. Morgenthaler, & Kyppler, 2. Thus, although the influence of parenting on childrenAos religiosity has been widely studied, most research remains limited to the domestic sphere and does not adequately consider external factors such as school policies or teacher interactions. In addition to the roles of teachers and parenting, several studies have focused on developing theoretical models and measurement instruments to systematically assess religious Hajaroh et al. proposed a six-indicator modelAiincluding intellect, belief, commitment, ritual, experience, and behavioral consequenceAithat demonstrated strong reliability through CFA and SEM analysis. On the other hand, philosophical approaches explore religiosity through metaphorical and phenomenological frameworks, highlighting the distinctive nature of religious thought and language (Konacheva, 2. In the educational context. Marini et al. stressed the importance of school culture, including worship facilities and religious routines, which positively contribute to studentsAo religious character. Several instruments have also been developed, such as the technology-based SERINTERON self-reflection tool designed to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses (Paksi et , 2. , the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale (ARES) with high reliability (Braghetta et al. , 2. , and the Religious and Spiritual Struggles (RSS) Scale, which measures six domains of religious struggle (Exline. Pargament. Grubbs, & Yali, 2. Nevertheless, some limitations persist, including overlaps with measures of positive emotions, concerns about contextual and theological relevance, and challenges of cross-cultural validity (Koenig, 2008. Nabi. Shah, & Seh, 2. Accordingly, although these studies have provided important conceptual and methodological contributions, most remain centered on individual and ritual dimensions, without fully integrating environmental factors such as parenting and school culture into the holistic measurement of religious character. Despite the growing body of research on teachersAo roles, parenting styles, and theoretical models for measuring religious character, significant gaps remain. Most studies examining teachersAo contributions have been confined to the formal school context, without considering how these efforts interact with parenting practices at home. Conversely, research on parenting has largely been restricted to the domestic sphere, overlooking the potential synergy between family upbringing and school-based religious education. Similarly, while theoretical models and instruments have advanced the measurement of religiosity, they often emphasize individual and ritual dimensions in isolation, neglecting the environmental Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 229 of 240 influences of family dynamics and school culture. These limitations reveal a lack of integrated approaches that simultaneously account for the roles of teachers, parents, and systemic educational strategies in fostering childrenAos religious character. Addressing this gap is essential for developing a more holistic understanding of how religious character is formed and sustained within the interconnected ecosystems of family and school. To address this gap, this study proposes a more comprehensive approach by analyzing both parenting styles and worship discipline as intertwined elements in shaping religious Parenting, whether authoritarian, permissive, or democratic, can significantly influence childrenAos understanding and adoption of religious values (Lasut et al. , 2. On the other hand, discipline in religious practice, such as consistent prayer, recitation, and participation in religious rituals, may reinforce internalization of religious principles and spiritual habits (Manik et al. , 2024. Siska et al. , 2. By conceptualizing worship discipline as a mediating variable, this study seeks to uncover the mechanisms by which parenting impacts religious character through the habituation of religious practices. Previous studies have significantly contributed to understanding the development of childrenAos religious character and can be grouped into three major thematic categories. First, the influence of parenting, where active parental involvement has been shown to strengthen moral and religious values (Romanto et al. , 2. , and daily worship routines combined with parental role modeling enhance childrenAos religious identity (Izzatunnisa & Mutiawati, 2. Conversely, permissive parenting is associated with lower religious sensitivity and a rise in behavioral issues among children (Guchi & Sunarti, 2. Second, the role of religious discipline, where authoritative and democratic parenting styles foster meaningful engagement in religious practices practices (Kumaidi et al. , 2024. Mumtaz et al. , 2. , and consistent selfdiscipline helps internalize religious values, while permissive or authoritarian parenting may hinder spiritual development (Faidah et al. , 2. Third, the educational environment, particularly Islamic schools, plays a significant role in shaping disciplined and structured religious behavior in students (Pranoto et al. , 2. However, these studies tend to examine variables in isolation and have not integrated parenting, religious discipline, and school environment into a unified conceptual framework. Moreover, the limitations of previous research such as fragmented approaches, the absence of longitudinal analysis, and weak theoretical synthesis have not been clearly addressed. This study seeks to bridge these theoretical and empirical gaps by proposing a more comprehensive and integrative model. The significance of this study is anchored in the urgent need to cultivate a generation that is not only intellectually capable but also morally and spiritually grounded. In todayAos fastpaced digital era, children are increasingly exposed to influences that may distance them from religious values. This research contributes theoretically by presenting an integrated model of religious character development and offers practical value by informing parenting practices, educational policies, and character education programs. By focusing on family-based religious development, the study aligns with broader efforts to strengthen social harmony, reduce intolerance, and support childrenAos holistic development. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of parenting styles on childrenAos religious character, with worship discipline acting as a mediating variable. This research seeks to deepen our understanding of how structured religious upbringing within the home contributes to shaping children who are morally upright, spiritually aware, and socially responsible in a pluralistic society. While previous studies have identified the individual effects of parenting and religious discipline on character development, few have integrated these variables into a unified framework. Building upon both theoretical assumptions and empirical findings, this study clearly formulates the following hypotheses: H1: Worship discipline has a significant positive effect on children's religious character. H2: Parenting style has a significant positive effect on children's religious character. Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 230 of 240 H3: Parenting style has a significant positive effect on worship discipline. H4: Worship discipline mediates the relationship between parenting style and children's religious character. H5: There is a significant total effect of parenting style on children's religious character, both directly and indirectly through worship discipline. METHOD This study applied a quantitative approach with a descriptive and correlational-verification design to investigate the relationship between parenting style, childrenAos worship discipline, and their religious character. According to Nazir . , descriptive research seeks to examine current conditions of individuals, groups, or phenomena in a factual and systematic manner. The verification component was used to test hypotheses concerning the causal relationship among the studied variables. The target population comprised junior high school students in Cianjur Regency. Indonesia. A total of 200 students were selected using a stratified random sampling technique, ensuring proportional representation by school type . ublic and privat. and grade level . th to 9th grad. The sample size was determined following GhozaliAos . recommendation for SEM analysis. The participants were between 12 and 15 years old, with both male and female students included, all of whom were enrolled in schools offering integrated Islamic religious education. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale . anging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agre. The questionnaire measured three main variables: parenting style . , worship discipline . , and religious character . Instrument validity was evaluated through convergent validity . oading factor and AVE) and discriminant validity (HTMT), while reliability was assessed using CronbachAos Alpha and Composite Reliability, with all values exceeding the recommended threshold of Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The analysis procedure included three stages: . outer model evaluation, examining indicator validity and construct reliability. inner model evaluation, assessing the coefficient of determination (RA), effect size . A), and predictive relevance (QA). bootstrapping with 5000 subsamples to test the significance of the path The research was conducted at several junior high schools in Cianjur, selected based on accessibility, the presence of religious programs, and institutional willingness to RESULT AND DISCUSSION Result Measurement Model Evaluation (Outer Mode. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is a variance-based method that serves as an alternative to covariance-based SEM, especially in studies with limited sample sizes. It enables simultaneous assessment of the measurement model . o test reliability and validit. and the structural model . o evaluate path relationships and test In this study, the PLS-SEM approach was applied using SmartPLS version 4. Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 231 of 240 Figure 1. Structural Model The following is the structural model scheme of the PLS 4. 0 program that was tested, which is as follows: Table 1. Convergent Validity Results Outer Pray before and after studying <- Religious Character Carrying out religious worship Religious Character Parenting -> Religious Character Parenting Style - > Discipline of Worship 204 . These results suggest that Parenting has a strong influence on Worship Discipline, which in turn moderately influences Religious Character. This highlights the mediating role of Worship Discipline. Tabel 7. Model fit Estimated Saturated model SRMR The SRMR value is below 0. 08, indicating a good model fit. Hypotheses were tested using the bootstrapping procedure. According to Hair et al. T-statistics > 1. 96 and pvalues < 0. 05 indicate statistical significance. Tabel 8. QApredict QApredict Religious Character Discipline of Worship RMSE MAE Since QApredict values exceed 0, the model demonstrates satisfactory predictive relevance (Hair et al. , 2. The RMSE and MAE values also indicate low prediction error, supporting the modelAos reliability Table 9. Predictive Comparison with Linear Models Tabel 10 Assess predict Sem PLS PLSSEM_RMSE PLSSEM_MAE LM_RMSE LM_MAE IA_RMSE IA_MAE Pray before and after studying Performing religious worship Say hello Celebrating religious holidays Action Time Compared to the linear model (LM) and individual average (IA). PLS-SEM demonstrates more accurate predictive performance, as shown by consistently lower RMSE and MAE values. Hypothesis Testing Tabel 10. PLS Results of Path Coefficients and Hypothesis Testing Immediately Discipline of Worship - > Religious Character Original sample (O) T statistics (|O/STDEV|) Conclusion accepted and Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 234 of 240 Parenting -> Religious Character Parenting Style - > Discipline of Worship accepted and accepted and Indirect Parenting -> Religious Character Total Discipline of Worship - > Religious Character Parenting -> Religious Character Parenting Style - > Discipline of Worship Original sample (O) T statistics (|O/STDEV|) Conclusion accepted and Original sample (O) T statistics (|O/STDEV|) Conclusion accepted and accepted and accepted and Each hypothesis was supported by the data: H1: Worship Discipline positively affects Religious Character. H2: Parenting has a significant direct effect on Religious Character. H3: Parenting significantly affects Worship Discipline. H4: Worship Discipline mediates the effect of Parenting on Religious Character. H5: Parenting exerts a total . irect and indirec. influence on Religious Character. Discussion This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles, worship discipline, and religious character among junior high school students in a rural Indonesian context. The analysis confirmed that all hypothesized paths were statistically significant, providing strong empirical support for the conceptual framework. H1: Worship Discipline Positively Affects Religious Character The results revealed that worship discipline significantly contributes to the development of students' religious character ( = 0. T = 4. p < 0. This supports the notion that routine engagement in religious practices helps internalize moral values and ethical conduct. BanduraAos Social Learning Theory explains how such habits are formed through modeling and repetition, reinforcing consistent behavioral norms. Prior studies have also supported this pathway. King & Roeser . emphasized that consistent religious practice enhances studentsAo internal discipline. Kor et al. explained that spirituality fosters character strengths such as goodwill and well-being. Petro et al. , . underlined the importance of religious rituals in adolescent moral development. Rich et al. noted that religious belief influences both parenting practices and child character Volling et al. also found that parentsAo religious commitment has a positive effect on childrenAos religious discipline. Rosadi . similarly identified that participation in religious practices acts as a key intermediary in the link between emotional intelligence and moral behavior among adolescents H2: Parenting Has a Direct Effect on Religious Character Parenting style demonstrated a significant direct effect on studentsAo religious character ( = 0. T = 6. p < 0. This underscores the parentAos role not only as caregivers but Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 235 of 240 also as moral and spiritual educators. BaumrindAos authoritative parenting concept, which balances warmth and discipline, aligns with these findings. Prior studies affirm this dynamic: Volling et al. , . and Aggarwal et al. , . documented that religious parenting supports moral development, while Rich . and McLennan et al. , . showed that parental religious orientation shapes both parenting strategies and children's ethical behavior. Jimynez . highlighted the role of family worship and expectation-setting in nurturing religious H3: Parenting Significantly Influences Worship Discipline The strongest relationship observed in this study was between parenting and worship discipline ( = 0. T = 24. p < 0. This confirms that consistent parental involvement is crucial in shaping childrenAos religious routines. BanduraAos theory again provides insight here, showing how children learn behaviors by observing consistent Volling et al. highlighted religious parenting as foundational for discipline. Kor et al. noted that spirituality reinforces prosocial and moral behavioral patterns. Aggarwal et al. demonstrated links between religiosity and adolescent moral Rich . explained how religious values shape parental engagement and discipline practices. Petro et al. found that religiosity supports positive parenting practices, including ritual discipline. H4: Worship Discipline Mediates the Effect of Parenting on Religious Character The mediating role of worship discipline was confirmed ( = 0. T = 4. p < 0. , suggesting that the influence of parenting on character formation is partially transmitted through the establishment of religious routines. This is consistent with Petro et al. , who stated that daily worship fosters internalized moral development. Kor et al. also emphasized that spirituality helps build commitment to moral values. This mediating path illustrates the behavioral process by which values are embeddedAinot merely taught, but practiced regularly under parental guidance. This matches the conceptual model of Rosadi . , where religious behavior acts as a behavioral bridge between cognitive-emotional traits and ethical conduc H5: Parenting Has a Total Effect (Direct and Indirec. on Religious Character The total effect of parenting on religious character was substantial ( = 0. T = 22. p < 0. , affirming its central role. This finding reinforces the literature on religious socialization within families (Volling et al. , 2009. Kor et al. , 2019. Rich, 2. Unlike studies that isolate direct influence, this research provides a comprehensive model showing both direct and indirect effects, offering a more complete picture of how character is The findings of this study confirm and extend previous research on the determinants of studentsAo religious character by demonstrating that both parenting styles and worship discipline play a significant role, with worship discipline acting as a mediating pathway. These results resonate with the first category of literature that highlights the role of teachers in shaping studentsAo religious character. Similar to teachers, parents function as role models whose consistency and exemplary behavior foster moral and spiritual growth (Wasehudin et , 2024. Cohen-Malayev et al. , 2. While the literature on teachers emphasized the school setting, our study reveals that within the family context, parents assume an equally strategic role, indicating that character formation is most effective when both domainsAischool and familyAiare engaged. The second category of literature emphasized the significance of parenting in transmitting religious values, yet many of those studies examined parenting in isolation from Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 236 of 240 other processes such as worship discipline (Vermeer, 2011. Duriez et al. , 2009. Stearns & McKinney, 2. Our findings advance this line of research by empirically showing that parenting does not merely exert a direct effect on character development but also shapes the childAos worship discipline, which in turn strengthens their religious character. This integrated model provides a more nuanced understanding of how values are both modeled and habituated within the family environment. It bridges the gap identified in earlier studies that tended to treat parenting as a stand-alone factor rather than a dynamic process mediated by religious The third category of literature focused on theoretical models and instruments for measuring religious character (Hajaroh et al. , 2023. Marini et al. , 2018. Braghetta et al. , 2. While those studies offered conceptual and methodological frameworks, they often lacked empirical testing that incorporated environmental variables such as parenting and worship By demonstrating statistically significant pathways between these factors, our study provides empirical evidence that supports the operationalization of religious character as a construct influenced not only by individual and ritual dimensions but also by relational and contextual factors. Thus, this research complements and extends existing models, showing that measurement frameworks should account for the interaction between family dynamics, religious routines, and broader educational environments. Taken together, these findings reinforce the importance of adopting an integrated perspective that situates religious character formation at the intersection of parenting practices, daily worship discipline, and the broader school culture. This comprehensive view addresses the limitations of prior research, which often examined these factors in isolation, and offers a more holistic understanding of how religious character is cultivated in adolescents. This study contributes to existing literature by introducing worship discipline as a mediating variable, an element often overlooked in prior research. While earlier studies focused heavily on direct effects, this research emphasizes the importance of behavioral mechanisms particularly in adolescence, where character formation becomes more deeply Additionally, the model demonstrated strong predictive relevance, with QApredict values of 0. eligious characte. orship disciplin. , and low RMSE and MAE These results affirm the reliability of PLS-SEM over traditional linear models in capturing complex mediation processes (Hair et al. , 2. These strategies align with RosadiAos . suggestion that an integrative effort between home and school is essential for developing adolescent morality in Islamic educational settings. The findings reinforce that religious education begins at home, where parents play a central role not only in enforcing religious routines but also in serving as role models and In an increasingly digital and pluralistic society, adaptive parenting is essential to balance external influences with strong internal values. Practical efforts to support this include implementing parenting workshops centered on religious values and authoritative guidance, integrating worship discipline into school-based character education programs, and utilizing digital platforms to foster interactive and engaging religious learning experiences for families. Furthermore, educators and policymakers should view parents as strategic partners in the moral and spiritual development of children. Collaborative programs that bridge home and school environments can ensure consistency in character-building efforts across both domains. CONCLUSION This study provides empirical evidence that parenting styles significantly influence studentsAo religious character, both directly and indirectly through worship discipline. Positive and consistent parenting fosters disciplined worship practices, which in turn strengthen adolescentsAo moral reasoning, ethical conduct, and spiritual awareness. The findings highlight Aguslani Mushlih / Parenting Style and Religious Character: The Mediating Role of Worship Discipline EduBase: Journal of Basic Education. Volume 6 . , 2025 | E-ISSN: 2722-1520 237 of 240 that worship discipline plays a crucial mediating role, showing that religious character is not only taught cognitively but also internalized through habitual practices within the family The primary contribution of this study lies in its introduction of worship discipline as a mediating variable in the relationship between parenting and religious character. This offers a novel conceptual and empirical approach, particularly within the rural Indonesian junior high school context where family and school remain central to moral development. By employing PLS-SEM, the study demonstrates strong predictive relevance, with robust statistical support from QApredict. RMSE, and MAE metrics. Conceptually, the study extends the literature by integrating environmental factorsAiparenting, family worship routines, and school cultureAi into a more comprehensive framework of religious character formation. Nonetheless, the study is not without limitations. The research was conducted in a single rural region, which may limit the generalizability of the findings across different cultural or urban contexts. The reliance on self-reported questionnaires also opens the possibility of social desirability bias. Future research should expand the scope to diverse populations, adopt longitudinal designs to track character development over time, and incorporate additional variables such as peer influence, digital media exposure, and schoolAefamily collaboration. Such efforts would provide a deeper and more holistic understanding of how religious character is shaped and sustained in contemporary society. REFERENCES