Religiosity and substance use and abuse among adolescents in the national comorbidity survey

Objective: To replicate previous findings among adults of an inverse associ ation between religiosity and substance use among a nationally representati ve sample of adolescents. Method: Subjects were 676 (328 female and 348 mal e) adolescents in the National Comorbidity Survey who were assessed for sub stance use and abuse with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Religiosity was assessed through affiliation with religious denomination a nd through response to 7 questions concerning belief and practice. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses replicated in adolescents the 2 religiosity f actors of personal devotion and personal conservatism previously identified by Kendler among adults, although the 2 factors were more highly correlate d in adolescents than in adults. Personal devotion (a personal relationship with the Divine) and affiliation with more fundamentalist religious denomi nations were inversely associated with substance use and substance dependen ce or abuse across a range of substances (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, or a ny contraband drug). Personal conservatism (a personal commitment to teachi ng and living according to creed) was inversely associated with use of alco hol only. Conclusion: Low levels of religiosity may be associated with adol escent onset of substance use and abuse.