Citation

Regnerus MD, Elder GH. Soc. Sci. Res. 2003; 32(4): 633-658.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0049-089X(03)00027-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Studies of resilient youth have documented the helpful influence of religion in their lives. In the absence of positive influences among high-risk youth, religion and religious organizations in particular often serve to promote prosocial outcomes. This study, on the other hand, investigates whether religion and religious change are comparably effective influences in reducing the vulnerability of low-risk youth to drinking, drug use, delinquency, problems in school, and poor grades. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study identified at least one influential aspect of religion that serves as a direct protective factor across each mode of vulnerability, and also documented indirect pathways of religious influence. We discuss the findings and consider the variable influence of religion on youth.