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Cited by 380Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyAdolescent Health and BehaviorsSubstance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

A systematic review of associations among religiosity/spirituality and adolescent health attitudes and behaviors

Rew, Lynn, Wong, Y. Joel·2006·Journal of Adolescent Health
DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.02.004
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Abstract

Purpose To systematically review and synthesize literature concerning the relationships among religiosity, spirituality, health attitudes, and health behaviors in adolescents.Methods Forty-three studies between 1998 and 2003 were systematically reviewed to (a) determine if the studies were based on conceptual or theoretical frameworks, (b) identify the types of religiosity and spirituality measures used as well as their effects on health attitudes and behaviors, (c) evaluate the quality of these measures, (d) determine categories and frequency of measures of health attitudes and behaviors, (e) evaluate the quality of the research designs, and (f) determine the effects of religiosity or spirituality on adolescent health attitudes and behaviors.Results Over half (n = 26) the studies were atheoretical or had an unclear framework and the other half were based on a wide variety of conceptual and theoretical models. A total of 37 distinct religiosity/spirituality variables were identified and varied in specificity. Less than half (n = 21) reported reliability of the measures and only seven contained information about validity of the measures. All 43 studies included measures of health-risk behaviors and/or attitudes but only seven addressed health-promoting behaviors. Most studies (84%) showed that measures of religiosity/spirituality had positive effects on health attitudes and behaviors.Conclusions The variety of studies and measures indicate that religiosity and spirituality may be important correlates of adolescent health attitudes and behaviors. Although the majority of the studies reviewed were well designed, there was no consistency in the theoretical bases and operational definitions of religiosity/spirituality phenomena.

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  • RS beliefs and practices are associated with health behaviors associated with reduced cancer risk such as lower levels of smoking and alcohol use, greater use of preventive health services and cancer screening, and greater adherence to health behaviors.

    “This finding is consistent with research indicating that RS beliefs and practices are associated with health behaviors associated with reduced cancer risk such as lower levels of smoking and alcohol use (Rew & Wong, 2006), greater use of preventive health services and cancer screening (Benjamins & Brown, 2004), and greater adherence to health behaviors (Park et al., 2008).”

    From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as Rew & Wong, 2006

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Authors
Rew, L., & Wong, Y. J.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Corresponding author
Rew, Lynn
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-04
Volume
38
Issue
4
Pages
433-442
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.02.004
OpenAlex
W2171293029
Cited by
380
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 33
FWCI
2.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Systematics Association
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Keywords
religiosity, spirituality, adolescents, health attitudes, health behavior, health risk behaviors, health-promoting behaviors, religiosity measurement, reliability and validity, theoretical framework
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Attitude to Health, Female, Humans, Male, Religion, Research Design, Health Behavior, Spirituality

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