The researchers found that individual religiosity is linked to a lowered likelihood of using alcohol or smoking, and decreases a teen's chances of using marijuana by half. However, religiosity did not affect cocaine or heroin abuse.
Researchers from Brigham Young University looked at answers to two questions that were posed to more than 14,000 teens: How often do you attend church? and How important is religion to you?
"Previously it was thought that if someone grew up in a religious community and went to church, then the community's religious strength would make a difference," said Professor Stephen Bahr, co-author of the study. "We basically found that was not the case. Individual religiosity is what makes the difference."
Labels: drug_use, influences, religion
Posted By: Aspen Education Group