Citation

Porche MV, Fortuna LR, Wachholtz A, Stone RT. Religions (Basel) 2015; 6(2): 365-384.

Affiliation

Systems & Psychosocial Advances Research Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA ; Department of Sociology, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publications Institute)

DOI

10.3390/rel6020365

PMID

26146565

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.

Language: en