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Demographic, Behavioral, Psychological, and Religious Associations With Violent Behavior Among Respondents 12 to 17 Years of Age.
Source publication
There is a pressing need to develop a more nuanced understanding of the relationships between particular expressions of religiosity and the various manifestations of violence among youth. This study examines these relationships among adolescents in the general population as well as across racial/ethnic, gender, and family income differences. Using...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... prevalence estimates and standard errors were computed using Stata 12.1 SE (StataCorp, 2011). Table 1 shows the sociodemographic, behavioral, psychological, and reli- gious correlates for youth who had taken part in no violence and one or more Note. Odds ratios in bold are statistically significant. ...
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Citations
... Moreover, R/S exhibits a protective role against violence and delinquency, working as a deterrent, regardless of the types of crime 17,18 . For instance, the American nationwide representative studies of adolescents and youth indicated reduced fights and gang fights, shootings, and stabbings, when participants were religious [19][20][21] . ...
Objective:
Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) have been negatively associated with several mental health problems, including delinquency. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between R/S and interpersonal violence using a systematic review.
Methods:
We carried out a descriptive systematic review followed by meta-analyses using seven different databases. We included observational studies that assessed the relationship between R/S and different types of interpersonal violence (physical and sexual aggression, and domestic violence).
Results:
A total of 16 599 articles were screened in the databases and, after applying the eligibility criteria, 67 studies were included in the systematic review, and 43 in the meta-analysis. Results showed that higher levels of R/S were significantly associated with decreased physical and sexual aggression, but not domestic violence. All selected studies evidenced sufficient methodological quality based on the assessment criteria, and 26.8% of them were cohort studies. In the sub-analyses, the role of R/S was more prevalent among adolescents.
Conclusion:
There is an inverse relationship between R/S and physical and sexual aggression, suggesting a protective role. However, these results were not observed for domestic violence. Healthcare professionals and managers should be aware of their patients' beliefs when investigating interpersonal violence to create tailored interventions for reducing violent behavior.
... [15][16][17] Several other studies have indicated a protective role of religiosity in intimate partner violence (IPV), in fights and gang affiliations. [18][19][20][21] Research also showed a potential protective role of religiosity on children when the parents were religious, [22][23][24] which could be due to the moral and spiritual values shared within the home. Although the mechanisms are still not clear, R/S have an influence on violent outcomes, both in childhood and adulthood 23 25 which, in other words, may explore R/S as a good candidate for mediation analyses. ...
Objectives
Although previous studies have investigated the role of religiosity in violence outcomes, there is a lack of studies including this aspect as a mediator for violence in childhood and adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between religiosity and violence in childhood, as well as the possible mediating role of religiosity between suffering violence in childhood and suffering and/or perpetrating violence in adulthood.
Design
Cross-sectional population-based study carried out from November 2011 to March 2012.
Setting
Face-to-face surveys (at participants’ homes) were performed in a Brazilian nationally representative sample.
Participants
A total of 3378 adults (aged 19 years and above) were included.
Primary and secondary outcomes measures
The association between suffering violence in childhood and religiosity, and the mediating role of religiosity between childhood and adulthood violence were analysed using logistic regression models.
Results
Religiosity was associated with childhood violence, showing that those who suffered less violence in childhood were more religious in adulthood and considered religion more important in their lives. However, while there was a significant association between suffering violence during childhood and suffering and/or perpetrating violence in adulthood, religiosity did not mediate this relationship.
Conclusions
Although religious individuals self-reported less violence suffered in childhood, religiosity did not show evidence of being a potential mediator for childhood and adulthood violence (experienced and/or perpetrated). These results could help researchers explore this phenomenon, and aid health professionals and managers when proposing future interventions.
... This study also found that religiosity may mitigate the effects of other violence risk factors, such as alcohol use. More recently, analyses of the 2006-2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found religiosity to be associated with decreased likelihood of fighting, group fighting and violent attacks among US adolescents, with differences across race/ethnicity, gender, and family income (Holmes & Lochman, 2012;Salas-Wright et al., 2012, 2014a. Consistent with these findings, a study of over 2500 11-year-old students from West Scotland found that children who reported weekly church attendance were less likely to be involved in physical fights (Abbotts et al., 2004). ...
... The impact that religiosity may have on children's involvement in violence and its related risk factors may vary by the child's gender (Hartman et al., 2009;Salas-Wright et al., 2014a, b); some evidence suggests its protective effects against delinquency are most substantial in females (Hartman et al., 2009). In fact, Guo (2020) found religiosity to be associated with adolescent and youth increased risk for recidivism of serious crime offenses. ...
... In fact, Guo (2020) found religiosity to be associated with adolescent and youth increased risk for recidivism of serious crime offenses. Differences by age, race/ethnicity, family income, and other individual and family demographic variables have also been found (Salas-Wright et al., 2014a, b;Yonker et al., 2012). The type or religiosity (e.g., public or private) may also have a moderating impact on youth violence and its risk behaviors-for instance, private religiosity moderates the relationship between key risk factors and substance use (Salas-Wright et al., 2014a, b), which could have an impact on youth violence. ...
Preadolescents’ involvement in religious congregations may serve as a distal protective factor against aggression. Interviews were conducted to explore Puerto Rico (PR) Christian church and faith-based organization (FBO) leaders' knowledge and perceptions about preadolescent violence, and the role of congregations in its prevention. Bullying was perceived as the most common type of aggression among PR preadolescents. Education, positive role modeling, and relationships with pro-social adults are considered important in its prevention. While willing to engage in violence prevention efforts, congregations may possess limited knowledge on the topic and its relevance. Findings can help inform the development of collaborative research and prevention efforts at the family and community levels.
... 6,12 Besides, factors including religious orientation and religious behaviors were reported to be associated with the decreased likelihood of violent behaviors. 13 Since the youth problem behaviors are major concerns in most developing countries, the enhancement of current prevention and recovery programs and the implementation of new ones are important, based on a strong awareness of the relationship between factors that may potentially engage young people in problem activities and protective factors that counteract existing risks, especially for the most vulnerable communities. Given the importance of violence-related behaviors among students and lack of related studies in Iran, the present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of violence-related behaviors and its relationship with other risky behaviors, family support, and religiosity among students. ...
Background and aims: Violence is recognized as a significant public health problem throughout the world. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of violence-related behaviors and its relationship with other risky behaviors, family support, and religiosity among students in Bushehr. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 977 students in Bushehr city, southern Iran, in 2016. Required data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on violence-related behaviors and other risky behaviors. The validity of the questionnaire was measured by MPH students with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90. Additionally, family support scale and religious belief questionnaire were applied. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, t test, and logistic regression model in SPSS version 16.0. Results: The overall prevalence rates of weapon carrying and physical fighting were reported to be 9.1% and 7.1%, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that hookah use (OR: 2.93), physical fight (OR: 5.64), and having unsafe sex (OR: 2.42) were associated with weapon carrying (P < 0.001). Moreover, male gender (OR: 3.36), illicit drug use (OR: 3.64), weapon carrying (OR: 5.24), and family support (OR: 0.97) were shown to be associated with physical fight (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested co-occurrence nature of risky behaviors. Given the high prevalence of violence-related behaviors, the implementation of preventive interventions for college students is of great importance.
... It is possible, however, that pregnancy was underreported in the current study because premarital sex is viewed as a sinful act by the church (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997). Alternatively, the church may act as a protective factor for teen pregnancy because it encourages obedience to scriptural guidance on sustaining from premarital sex, provides opportunities for socialization among like-minded peers, and allows for mentoring relationships with trusting adults (Petersen and Donnenwerth 1997;Salas-Wright et al. 2014). The 7% prevalence estimate for incarceration is lower than the 11.6% of African-American youth (age 10-17 years) referred to juvenile probation in 2016 in Texas (Texas Juvenile Justice Department 2017). ...
... The 7% prevalence estimate for incarceration is lower than the 11.6% of African-American youth (age 10-17 years) referred to juvenile probation in 2016 in Texas (Texas Juvenile Justice Department 2017). This finding could also be attributed to involvement in the church, which can act as a protective factor against behaviors that lead to being detained, arrested, or incarcerated (Salas-Wright et al. 2014). There were a few significant differences in ACE prevalence by gender or grade level, which is consistent with previous research (Bethell et al. 2014). ...
Research shows that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is common among adolescents and that exposure to ACEs is associated with an increased risk of depression in adolescents. Furthermore, it is unknown whether resilience and spirituality moderate the association between ACEs and depression in African-American adolescents. Thus, the present study examined the prevalence of ACEs and the association between ACEs and the risk for depression in African-American adolescents and examined whether this association is moderated by resilience and spirituality. Survey data were collected from African-American adolescents who attended youth-targeted events held by churches in Houston, TX. An expanded ACE tool was used to collect data and respondents were dichotomized into two groups based on their summed ACE scores, i.e., 0–3 ACEs versus 4–19 ACEs. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between ACEs and the likelihood of depression and to examine whether this association is moderated by resilience and spirituality. The results indicate that half of the sample had been exposed to four or more ACEs and that ACEs are negatively associated with depression: higher levels of resilience and spirituality suggest a lower likelihood of depression. These results suggest the need to explore the prevalence of cumulative ACEs among homogenous samples of African-American adolescents and the need to continue exploring and addressing the prevalence of individual ACEs among homogenous samples of African-American adolescents. No clinical trials were performed for this study.
... Among adolescents, religiosity has been linked to improved health outcomes (Cotton, Zebracki, Rosenthal, Tsevat, & Drotar, 2006), weak to moderate mental health outcomes (Cotton et al., 2005;Dew et al., 2009), and decreases in suicidality (Wu, Wang, & Jia, 2015). Religiosity has also been associated with decreased risk behaviors such as cigarette use (Nonnemaker, McNeely, & Blum, 2003;Smith & Faris, 2002a), marijuana use (Smith & Faris, 2002a), alcohol use (Brown, Parks, Zimmerman, & Phillips, 2001;Miller, Davies, & Greenwald, 2000), early sexual behavior (Landor, Simons, Simons, Brody, & Gibbons, 2011;Scott et al., 2006), and delinquency (Hardy & Raffaelli, 2003;Johnson, Li, Larson, & McCullough, 2000;Nonnemaker et al., 2003;Rostosky, Wilcox, Wright, & Randall, 2004;Salas-Wright, Vaughn, & Maynard, 2014b). ...
... ***p < .001 religiosity and delinquency (Hardy & Raffaelli, 2003;Johnson et al., 2000;Nonnemaker et al., 2003;Rostosky et al., 2004;Salas-Wright et al., 2014b), we failed to find the same association in child welfare-involved youth. ...
Religiosity is understudied among child welfare-involved adolescents. This study examined the effects religiosity on seven outcomes [substance use disorder (SUD), positive future expectations, delinquency, depression, loneliness, school disengagement, and early sexual activity] in order to understand and support child welfare-involved youth and minimize the effects of trauma. Utilizing the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (Wave I & II), which uses a representative sample of children and adolescents with a child maltreatment report, we used logistic regression to predict each of the seven outcomes longitudinally. Youth (n = 474) who reported that religiosity was very important in Wave I were 53% less likely (OR .47, CI .24–.90, p < .05) to have SUD in Wave II than youth who reported that it was not important or only a little important. In addition, youth (n = 552) who reported that religiosity was very important in Wave I were 2.27 times as likely (CI 1.11–4.65, p < .05) to have positive future expectations in Wave II (e.g., graduate from high school; get a good job). Religiosity did not predict other outcomes nor did attendance to faith-based organizations. In order to help prevent SUD and promote positive future expectations, professionals or caregivers can: (1) assess levels of/religiosity and desire to grow accordingly; and (2) suggest use of resources in the community that foster religiosity.
... Research often points to the positive influence of religiosity on youth outcomes such as preventing delinquency (e.g., Salas-Wright, Vaughn, and Maynard 2014;Sinha, Cnaan, and Gelles 2007), increasing prosocial behavior and feelings of concern for others (e.g., Furrow et al. 2004;Wagener et al. 2003), increasing community, adult, and peer connections, support, and oversight (Ebstyne Smith 2003a), heightening a sense of identity and purpose (e.g., Benson, Roehlkepartain, and Rude 2003;Hemming and Madge 2011;Ysseldyk et al. 2010), and providing benefits to health and wellbeing (e.g., Cotton et al. 2006;Wong et al. 2006). Some studies, however, point to a negative influence of religion on wellbeing through factors such as religious doubt (e.g., Hunsberger, Pratt, and Pancer 2002;Kezdy et al. 2011), or distressing relationships with religion or perceptions of God/divine other or the afterlife (e.g., Bradshaw, Ellison, and Flannelly 2008;Ellison and Lee 2010). ...
... In this case, religious socialization and the moral messages therein may operate as a social control, preventing or inhibiting undesirable interpersonal behaviors (e.g., fighting, bullying). In fact, religiosity is associated with lower likelihoods of other types of delinquency in adolescence including drug/alcohol use (e.g., Desmond, Ulmer, and Bader 2013), sexual activity (e.g., Sinha et al. 2007) and violence (e.g., Salas-Wright et al. 2014). Moreover, links between religiosity and delinquency prevention may be stronger among youth with a high level of religious salience (e.g., Ellison et al. 2008). ...
... Lastly, Chapter 3 examined mediating pathways linking religiosity and bullying to mental health over time. Many empirical studies show positive associations between religiosity and mental health in adolescence (e.g., Cotton et al. 2006;Wong, Rew, and Slaikeu 2006), as well as increases in prosocial behavior, lower rates of delinquency, and lower rates of risk behaviors (e.g., Desmond, Ulmer, and Bader 2013;Furrow et al. 2004;Salas-Wright, Vaughn, and Maynard 2014). The extent that religiosity might mitigate the mental health consequences of bullying, however, was unclear. ...
This dissertation examines associations between religiosity and bullying in adolescence and emerging adulthood across three empirical chapters. The first empirical chapter uses data from the National Study of Youth and Religion Wave 1 (N=3,137) to assess the likelihood of bullying and religious victimization by key religious factors in youth. Results show that religious affiliation, religious practices, and religious views and beliefs are all associated with differential likelihoods of bullying. Mainline Protestants and youth with higher religious salience and scripture reading had lower likelihoods of bullying perpetration. Higher service attendance and religious youth group participation, however, were associated with increased likelihood of religious victimization. This study shows that religiosity can have both a protective and exacerbating association with the emergence of bullying. The second empirical chapter uses the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children 2009-2010 dataset (N=11,444) to examines differences in religious victimization and subsequent mental health consequences by race/ethnicity among elementary to high school students in the United States. Results show that Black youth reported higher religious victimization as compared to White youth. In addition, religious victimization had unique mental health consequences. Although the association between religious victimization and mental health outcomes did not differ by race/ethnicity, Black youth were more likely to be religious victims, and thus there remains a greater mental health burden associated with religious victimization for Black youth. This study points to the importance of religious victimization in youth and implications for the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents of different race/ethnic backgrounds. The third empirical chapter uses Waves 1-3 of the National Study of Youth and Religion (N=2,454) to test whether the association between bullying and poorer mental health is mediated by religiosity over time. Results show that bullying is linked to poorer mental health (i.e., feelings of sadness and alienation) over time, although these associations were not mediated by religiosity. Increasing service attendance and feelings of closeness to God however were beneficial for mental health over the study period. This study points to the importance of examining multiple social factors in adolescence that have potential to alleviate the mental health consequences of bullying. Advisors: Philip Schwadel and Jacob E. Cheadle
... A large body of literature in psychology, sociology, family studies, public health, and medicine indicates that religious belief, spiritual practice, and involvement in a faith community are generally associated with a host of positive outcomes for children, youth, and adults of all ages (Koenig et al., 2012). Among many other findings, this includes stronger marriage and family relationships Spilman, Neppl, Donnellan, Schofield, & Conger, 2013); and lower levels of youth substance use, various forms of violence, depression, anxiety, and delinquency (Salas- Wright, Vaughn, & Maynard, 2014;Salas-Wright et al., 2012). ...
... Additionally, both the Introjectors and the Low Religious participants were more likely to report externalizing symptoms than participants in the High Religious profile group (Longo et al., 2017). Salas-Wright, Vaughn, and Maynard (2014) utilized the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to examine the relationship between religiosity and violence among adolescents in the United States. The authors measured religiosity several ways: frequency of religious service attendance, participation in religious youth groups, importance of religious beliefs, and influence of religious beliefs. ...
... All four of these elements of religiosity were associated with a decreased likelihood of engaging in the three types of violent behavior measured: initiating a violent attack, engaging in fighting, and engaging in fighting with a group against another group of people. Religious service attendance was the form of religiosity associated with the greatest decrease in the likelihood of involvement in violence (Salas-Wright et al., 2014). ...
Religious engagement encompasses beliefs, behaviors, and senses of belonging in relation to those things of a religious nature. Studies examining religious engagement during adolescence focus on the benefits (or lack thereof) of the interaction between these dimensions of religious engagement on developmentally relevant outcomes (see APPLIED RESEARCH; POSITIVE WELL-BEING; RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENCE ; SPIRITUALITY AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT), most commonly in the areas of identity formation, psychological well-being, and participation in risky behaviors.
... There have been few studies of violent behavior in this context, but previous studies of antisocial behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, support this assumption (Bahr and Hoffmann 2008;Fowler et al. 2008;Salas-Wright et al. 2014). In their study of 4983 adolescents in Utah, Bahr and Hoffmann (2008) found that individual religiosity tended to lessen the influence of peer drug use on the adolescents' use of drugs and heavy drinking. ...
This study explored the moderating effect of religiosity on the correlation between affiliation with delinquent peers and perpetration of serious physical violence among a representative sample of 2811 Arab Muslim adolescents (aged 13–18) in Israel, who completed a structured, anonymous, self-report questionnaire. The findings showed that religiosity may play a protective role in preventing adolescent delinquency and in decreasing the effects of delinquent peers. We found that 28.4% of the participants had perpetrated serious physical violence at least once during the month preceding the study, and that there was a significant positive correlation between affiliation with delinquent peers and perpetration of serious physical violence(r = .54, P < .05). The correlation between affiliation with delinquent peers and perpetration of serious physical violence was found to be weaker among those who identified as religious than among those who identified as non-religious, after controlling for individual, familial, and social variables. Because religiosity was found to be a moderating factor in the relationship between affiliation with delinquent peers and violence (B = 0.20, SE = 0.01, p < .001), these findings highlight the critical role of religiosity as a protective factor. These results call for developing culturally sensitive interventions that take into consideration the cultural context in which these youth live, including the role of religiosity in their lives.
