#  Religious affiliation protects against alcohol/substance use initiation: A prospective study among healthy adolescents 

 



### Abstract

### Background

A substantial volume of the literature suggests that religious factors buffer against alcohol/substance use among adults, but research among adolescents is sparse. Further, few studies in this area have been prospective, and therefore it is unclear how religion may impact less alcohol/substance use among adolescents.

### Method

We prospectively evaluated effects of religious affiliation on initiation of alcohol/substance use in a sample of 81 psychiatrically healthy 13–14-year-olds from New England, over a 3-year period (from November 2015 to January 2019). Known risk factors were also evaluated including anxiety, depression, and impulsivity; family history of mental illness and alcohol/substance misuse; and volume of brain regions implicated in adolescent alcohol/substance misuse (assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

### Results

Religiously affiliated adolescents were significantly less likely to initiate use of alcohol/substances (hazard ratio \[HR\] = 0.38). The addition of family history of alcohol/substance misuse to the model increased the predictive value of religious affiliation (HR = 0.34). Other risk factors did not diminish nor increase observed effects.

### Conclusions

These findings support and extend the current research by suggesting that religious affiliation protects against initiation of alcohol/substance use during early adolescence, particularly in individuals with elevated risk.

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 Attachments- [  picture\_as\_pdf  journal\_of\_adolescence\_-\_2022\_-\_rosmarin\_-\_religious\_affiliation\_protects\_against\_alcohol\_substance\_use\_initiation\_a.pdf ](/sites/g/files/omnuum11836/files/rshm/files/journal_of_adolescence_-_2022_-_rosmarin_-_religious_affiliation_protects_against_alcohol_substance_use_initiation_a.pdf)
 
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 See also:- [ Faculty Research ](/faculty-research/faculty-research)