Distal and Proximal Religiosity as Protective Factors for Adolescent and Emerging Adult Alcohol Use.

Michelle V Porche,Lisa R Fortuna,Rosalie Torres Stone,Amy Wachholtz

doi:10.3390/rel6020365

Abstract

Data from emerging adults (ages 18–29, N = 900) in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Study was used to examine the influence of childhood and emerging adult religiosity and religious-based decision-making, and childhood adversity, on alcohol use. Childhood religiosity was protective against early alcohol use and progression to later abuse or dependence, but did not significantly offset the influence of childhood adversity on early patterns of heavy drinking in adjusted logistic regression models. Religiosity in emerging adulthood was negatively associated with alcohol use disorders. Protective associations for religiosity varied by gender, ethnicity and childhood adversity histories. Higher religiosity may be protective against early onset alcohol use and later development of alcohol problems, thus, should be considered in prevention programming for youth, particularly in faith-based settings. Mental health providers should allow for integration of clients’ religiosity and spirituality beliefs and practices in treatment settings if clients indicate such interest.

Highlights

Experimentation is central to development as adolescents move into emerging adulthood, the developmental period from the late teens into the 20s [1], when there is increased risk for under-age and binge drinking [2], alcohol use disorders, and impaired driving [3,4,5]
The primary aim of this study is to test dimensions of religiosity and religious-based decision making in childhood and emerging adulthood as potential diverters of early onset alcohol use and in the prevention of alcohol use disorders. We test these religious dimensions as potential protective correlates of early age of alcohol use and/or alcohol use disorders along with other dimensions of family life, cultural affiliation, and childhood environmental stressors and adversity in a nationally representative sample of young adults
A greater percentage of young men reported drinking regularly at an earlier age (25% vs. 19%) and young men’s rate for any alcohol use disorder was double that of young women (19% vs. 10%)

Summary

Introduction

Experimentation is central to development as adolescents move into emerging adulthood, the developmental period from the late teens into the 20s [1], when there is increased risk for under-age and binge drinking [2], alcohol use disorders, and impaired driving [3,4,5]. It is a period of life when young people continue to explore and mature their understanding of religion and spirituality [6]. We examine associations of religious participation and religious-based decision-making on early onset alcohol use, as well as later prevalence of alcohol use disorders, in a diverse and nationally representative sample of emerging adults

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