NCJ Number
218345
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 231-249
Date Published
April 2007
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the relationship between youth risk behaviors and religiosity using measures which captured the varied extent to which youth were engaged in religion.
Abstract
Findings demonstrate that religiosity, measured as perceived importance of religion, attendance in worship services, and participation in religious youth group, significantly contributed to explaining variation in six youth risk behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, truancy, sexual activity, marijuana use, and depression). Increased religious perception and increased religious behaviors are generally good predictors of decreased youth risk behaviors. Religious youth do engage in risk behavior, but the likelihood of their involvement in risk behaviors is less than those of less-religiously active youth. Society today is concerned with what seems like high rates of youth involvement in risk behaviors. Many studies suggest a positive connection between membership in faith communities and pro-social behavior. However, many questions remain open about the nature of the relationship between religion and adolescent behaviors. This study used three measures which assessed youths’ valuation of religion and participation in religious activities, along with a parent or caretaker report of the youth’s frequency of involvement in religious activities allowing for a more discriminating look at the role of religious values and involvement in relation to youths’ engagement in risk behaviors. Tables, references