The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Religion's Role in Promoting Health and Reducing Risk Among American Youth
Abstract
Although past research has long documented religion's salutary impact on adult health-related behaviors and outcomes, relatively little research has examined the relationship between religion and adolescent health. This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to examine the relationship between religion and behavioral predictors of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Relative to their peers, religious youth are less likely to engage in behaviors that compromise their health (e.g., carrying weapons, getting into fights, drinking and driving) and are more likely to behave in ways that enhance their health (e.g., proper nutrition, exercise, and rest). Multivariate analyses suggest that these relationships persist even after controlling for demographic factors, and trend analyses reveal that they have existed over time. Particularly important is the finding that religious seniors have been relatively unaffected by past and recent increases in marijuana use.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Of the 145 studies with the best methodology, 131 (90%) reported inverse relationships [206–221] and only one study found a positive relationship [222].”
From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [209]
Citations
Cites
Actual causes of death in the United States
McGinnis, J. M. (1993) · JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association · doi:10.1001/jama.1993.03510180077038 · Cited by 5,480
Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (1992) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.64 · Cited by 5,428
Why Strict Churches Are Strong
Iannaccone, L. R. (1994) · American Journal of Sociology · doi:10.1086/230409 · Cited by 1,315
Adolescents at risk: prevalence and prevention
(1991) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.28-5386 · Cited by 1,114
Health Risks and Developmental Transitions during Adolescence
Schulenberg, J. E., Maggs, J. L., & Hurrelmann, K. (1999) · Cited by 1,082
Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing.
Hollerbach, P. E., & Hayes, C. D. (1987) · Population and Development Review · doi:10.2307/1973146 · Cited by 836
Drug and Drinking Behavior Among Youth
Kandel, D. B. (1980) · Annual Review of Sociology · doi:10.1146/annurev.so.06.080180.001315 · Cited by 709
Religion and health: Is there an association, is it valid, and is it causal?
Levin, J. S. (1994) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/0277-9536(94)90109-0 · Cited by 581
Religion and the Well‐Being of Adolescents
Donahue, M. J., & Benson, P. (1995) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01328.x · Cited by 525
Classifying Protestant Denominations
Smith, T. (1990) · Review of Religious Research · doi:10.2307/3511614 · Cited by 472
Research works printed but not linked: 11
- Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), 1991, Adolescent Health: Vol. 2. Background and the Effectiveness of Selected Prevention and Treatment Services (OTA-H-466)
- Rohrbaugh J, 1975, JPers, 43, 136
- Benson PL, 1989, Res Soc Scientific Study Religion, 1, 153
- Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People, 1994, A Report of the Surgeon General
- 1993, MMWR, 42, 645
- Gallup GH Jr, 1992, The Religious Life of Young Americans
- 36. Bachman JG, Wallace JM Jr: Religion and drug use, in Clayton R (ed.): Encyclopedia ofDrugs and Alcohol . Unpublished manuscript.
- Kish L, 1965, Survey Sampling
- Roof WC, 1987, American Mainline Religion
- Johnston LD, 1985, Self-ReportMethods of Estimating Drug Use, 31
- Wallace JM Jr, 1993, DrugAbuseAmong Minority Youth: Advances in Research and Methodology, 167
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–400 of 435
Religious Participation Among African American Adolescents
Taylor, R. J., Chatters, L. M., Hope, M. O., & Malcome, M. (2026) · Sociological Focus · doi:10.1080/00380237.2026.2683792 · Cited by 3
Eliassen, A. H. (2013) · Review of Religious Research · doi:10.1007/s13644-013-0110-9 · Cited by 3
Religiosity as a factor protecting against problem behaviour in adolescence
Niewiadomska, I., Bartczuk, R., Chwaszcz, J., Fel, S., Augustynowicz, W., Palacz-Chrisidis, A., & Wiechetek, M. (2015) · Journal for Perspectives of Economic Political and Social Integration · doi:10.2478/pepsi-2015-0003 · Cited by 3
Adigun, O. T. (2020) · Pertanika journal of social science & humanities · doi:10.47836/pjssh.28.4.07 · Cited by 3
Freeman, J. A. (2021) · Sociological Perspectives · doi:10.1177/0731121421990061 · Cited by 4
Sense of Coherence (SOC) in Christian Orthodox Monks and Nuns in Greece
Merakou, K., Taki, S., Barbouni, A., Antoniadou, E., Theodoridis, D., Karageorgos, G., & Kourea-Kremastinou, J. (2016) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-016-0244-5 · Cited by 3
Edelmann, A. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224185 · Cited by 3
Fit for Christ or Gluttons for God? An Overview of Research on Religion and Body Mass
Hill, T. D., Galindo, S. M., & Burdette, A. M. (2022) · International handbooks of population · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-10936-2_11 · Cited by 3
Relationship quality between parents and adolescents: understanding the role of religion
Denton, M. L. (2019) · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · doi:10.17615/j8j7-0385 · Cited by 3
Bernard-Fisher, J. (2000) · doi:10.32597/dissertations/224/ · Cited by 3
Upenieks, L., & Eagle, D. E. (2026) · Pastoral Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11089-026-01300-3 · Cited by 2
Effects of religiosity on physical activity, fast food intake, and obesity in emerging adults
Dodor, B. A. (2013) · Journal of Behavioral Health · doi:10.5455/jbh.20121216125931 · Cited by 2
Rakhshani, T., Keshtkar, R., Kamyab, A., Mohammadkhah, F., & Jeihooni, A. K. (2024) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2024.2319836 · Cited by 2
Szociodemográfiai, egyéni és viselkedési változók hatása a serdülőkori szerfogyasztásra
Brassai, L., & Piko, B. F. (2005) · Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika · doi:10.1556/mental.6.2005.2.1 · Cited by 2
Benson, P., & King, P. E. (2007) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/0-387-23789-5_6 · Cited by 2
The clinical pattern of intentional injuries at a primary Saudi Arabian trauma center
Shirah, B. H., Shirah, H. A., Zabeery, I., Sogair, O. A., Alahmari, A. M., Alhaidari, W. A., Alamri, M. H., & Aljabri, W. N. (2022) · Journal of Trauma and Injury · doi:10.20408/jti.2021.0026 · Cited by 2
Psychological Well-Being and Positive Emotions
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0012 · Cited by 2
Connally, D., Wedemeyer, R., & Smith, S. J. (2013) · Murray State's Digital Commons (Murray State University) · doi:10.61611/2165-4611.1041 · Cited by 3
López, L. D. T., & Serrano-García, I. (2007) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Cited by 2
Kahan, D., & Lorenz, K. A. (2019) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2019.1627275 · Cited by 2
Ballano, V. O. (2021) · F1000Research · doi:10.12688/f1000research.54681.1 · Cited by 2
Jeserich, F. (2011) · Cited by 2
Wadsworth, S. M. (2015) · Digital Commons - Otterbein (Otterbein University) · Cited by 2
Religious Cognition and Duration of Maintained Grip
Carter, E. C. (2010) · Cited by 2
Internalizing and Externalizing
Zhang, K. A., & Markon, K. E. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118625392.wbecp252 · Cited by 2
Religion, Adolescent Wellbeing, and Educational Outcomes
Phillips, T. M. (2018) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119098416.ch26 · Cited by 2
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0025 · Cited by 1
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0010 · Cited by 2
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0015 · Cited by 1
Purpose in Life: a Comparison between Communities of the Non-religious and the Religious
Robbins, M., & Longden, G. (2024) · Journal of Empirical Theology · doi:10.1163/15709256-20240003 · Cited by 1
Broadening the Scope of Ethical Consumer Behaviour
Chaminda, J. W. D., & Ratnayake, N. (2013) · International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management · doi:10.4018/jabim.2013070104 · Cited by 1
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND HEALTH OUTCOMES: THE COLLEGE BOUND SISTERS PROGRAM
Smith, L. W., Brown, H. N., Lewallen, L. P., & Penny, J. M. (2006) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840500436966 · Cited by 1
Comparing Religious Orientation and Perception of God in Addicts and Non-Addicts
Barahui, Y. T., Arab, A., & Nikmanesh, Z. (2016) · Annals of Military and Health Sciences Research · doi:10.5812/amh.12905 · Cited by 1
Religious Service Attendance and Subjective Well-Being in European Countries
Ciziceno, M. (2020) · International Journal of Humanities and Social Science · doi:10.30845/ijhss.v10n12p19 · Cited by 1
Hasikić, A., & Vlah, N. M. (2017) · Zbornik radova Islamskog pedagoškog fakulteta u Zenici (Online) · doi:10.51728/issn.2637-1480.2019.15.63 · Cited by 1
Crowell, K. A. (2021) · Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) · doi:10.26076/5965-2233 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0027 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0008 · Cited by 2
Understanding the Religion–Physical Health Relationship
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0031 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0017 · Cited by 1
Social Integration and Mental Health Promotion: A Study of Black Adolescents
Rose, T. (2011) · Cited by 1
Manifestation of Ethical Consumption Behaviour through Five Precepts of Buddhism
Ratnayake, N., & Chaminda, J. W. D. (2015) · Advances in business strategy and competitive advantage book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-8462-1.ch005 · Cited by 1
Manifestation of Ethical Consumption Behaviour through Five Precepts of Buddhism
Ratnayake, N., & Chaminda, J. W. D. (2016) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-9624-2.ch070 · Cited by 1
Public Health and Human Flourishing
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0032 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0006 · Cited by 1
Pickering, L. E. (2005) · Cited by 1
Uso do álcool e religiosidade em estudantes de enfermagem
Funai, A. (2010) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.22.2010.tde-09032010-161913 · Cited by 1
Kim, N. (2007) · Texas ScholarWorks (Texas Digital Library) · Cited by 1
Religion and Spirituality, Adolescence
Kliewer, W. L., Wade, N. G., & Worthington, E. L. (2003) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-0195-4_126 · Cited by 1
Spiritually sensitive social work : exploring the pagan path
Sarson, D. A. (2009) · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · doi:10.14288/1.0091285 · Cited by 1
Religion and Health: Sociological Considerations
Idler, E. L. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-097086-8.84048-9 · Cited by 1
Harris, E. A. (2019) · The University of Queensland · doi:10.14264/uql.2019.356 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.002.0003 · Cited by 1
Predictors of physical activity and substance use in U.S. adolescents
Bigelow, A. (2008) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan) · Cited by 1
Dantis, T. (2008) · Massey Research Online (Massey University)
De ervaren druk van peers en alcoholgebruik:Betrokkenheid bij religie als moderator
Valstar, R. (2013) · Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University)
A Matter of Faith : Unravelling the role of religion on child survival in sub-Saharan Africa
Macassa, G. (2012) · African Journal of Health Sciences
Liao, L. C. (2007) · Scholars Commons (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Predicting Adolescent Risk-Taking And Goal- Oriented Behaviors: An Ecological Perspective
Tynan, J. J. (2010) · Human Biology
Religiousness and health locus of control in Polish Physical Education students
Guszkowska, M., & Kuk, A. (2013) · Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity · doi:10.2478/bjha-2013-0020
Nicholson, K. Y. (2007) · D-Scholarship@Pitt (University of Pittsburgh)
Spiritual Beliefs and Abstinence among Persons with Alcohol Dependence
Anthony, J., Arthur, J., & Pandian, D. R. (2014)
Tailor, M. A. (2012) · Digital Commons-DePaul (DePaul University)
Understanding sexual risk behaviors among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Traoré, F. (2005) · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network)
Cultural Influence of Storytelling: An Examination of the Use of Narratives in Political Campaigns
Bansley, C. F. (2015) · Digital Commons (Liberty University)
Religiousness and spirituality as moderators of physiological responses to social evaluative threat
Jordan, K. D. (2014) · J. Willard Marriott Library · doi:10.26053/0h-v2ey-sgg0
Sociocultural determinants, gender and health-related behaviour in adolescence
Pitel, L. (2013) · University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology)
Chapter 14. Spirituality and Religion in Pharmacy Practice
Werremeyer, A. B. (2008) · The American Pharmacists Association eBooks · doi:10.21019/9781582121130.ch14
The Religious Involvement of African American Men and Its Relationship to Health Behaviors.
Olabode-Dada, O. M. (2011) · NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries)
The influence of religiosity on adolescent risky sexual behavior
Landor, A. M. (2009)
The Effects of Parenting and Religiosity on Deviance in Slovene Adolescents
Emerson, A. M. (2014)
Holmes, C. J. (2014) · VTechWorks (Virginia Tech)
Baier, M. E. M. (2003) · ThinkTech (Texas Tech University)
Effects of Involvement in Religious Organization on Youth Development
Trabajo, F. M. (2016) · ACADEME University of Bohol Graduate School and Professional Studies · doi:10.15631/aubgsps.v8i1.88
RELIGIOSITY, RACIAL IDENTITY, AND SEXUAL INITIATION AMONG BLACK AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS
Taggart, T. (2016) · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · doi:10.17615/ahma-tr42
A Primer on Substance Use and Islam
Mackinem, M. B., & Sporl, C. (2019) · Advances in religious and cultural studies (ARCS) book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-0018-7.ch002
Time use patterns among U.S. disengaged youth
Wallace, L. N. (2019) · The Social Science Journal · doi:10.1016/j.soscij.2019.07.012
The Pilgrims’ Return: The Influence of the Assisi Pilgrimage on High School Participants
Iwancio, C. M. (2019) · USF Scholarship Repository (University of San Francisco)
A Secondary Analysis of Twelfth Grade Students and Their Engagement in Risk Behaviors
Morton, D. L. (2001) · ScholarWorks - GVSU (Grand Valley State University)
Spiritual Beliefs and Quality of Life among Persons with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome
Arthur, J. A. J., & Pandian, D. R. (2015) · International Journal of Indian Psychology · doi:10.25215/0202.068
Broadening the Scope of Ethical Consumer Behaviour
Chaminda, J. W. D., & Ratnayake, N. (2014) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-6433-3.ch104
(2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-407864-2.16001-1
Afiliação religiosa e decisões de cuidado à saúde
Borges, M. (2022) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.5.2022.tde-18012023-183154
Association between sexual attraction and suicide risk: the mediating role of spirituality
Pineda-Roa, C. A., Campo‐Arias, A., & Bello-Villanueva, A. M. (2022) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2022.2032625
Dehnavi, E. A., & Hashemi, M. (2023) · International Journal of Social Science and Human Research · doi:10.47191/ijsshr/v6-i4-16
Lampadan, N. (2021) · Digital Commons - Andrews University (Andrews University) · doi:10.32597/dissertations/1756/
Shiferaw, Y. F., Asmamaw, D. B., Engidaw, M. T., Belay, D. G., Birhan, H., & Negash, W. D. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1124173
Contemporary Rural Social Work - 2013 (Volume 5, Number 1)
(2013) · Contemporary Rural Social Work Journal · doi:10.61611/2165-4611.1049
Faith Activities in the Home Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study in Turkey
Özbay, A. (2023) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-023-01951-z
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0034
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0021
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0007
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0005 · Cited by 1
Koenig, H. G., VanderWeele, T. J., & Peteet, J. R. (2023) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190088859.003.0029
Metadata
- Authors
- Wallace, J. M., & Forman, T. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wallace, John M.
- ORCID
- Wallace, John M.
- Venue
- Health Education & Behavior
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1998-12
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 721-741
- ISSN
- 1090-1981 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6127
- OpenAlex
- W2167039480
- Cited by
- 434
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 8.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Health Education & Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R24MH051363)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R29DA009106)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- religion, adolescent health, high school seniors, health behavior, adolescent morbidity, adolescent mortality, cannabis use, violence, alcohol and driving, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, religiosity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Analysis of Variance, Humans, Life Style, Religion, Risk-Taking, United States, Health Behavior, Multivariate Analysis, Substance-Related Disorders
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review