Does Viewing Pornography Diminish Religiosity Over Time? Evidence from Two-Wave Panel Data

Research consistently shows a negative association between religiosity and viewing pornography. While scholars typically assume that greater religiosity leads to less frequent pornography use, none have empirically examined whether the reverse could be true: that greater pornography use may lead to lower levels of religiosity over time. 

I tested for this possibility using two waves of the nationally representative Portraits of American Life Study (PALS). Persons who viewed pornography at all at Wave 1 reported more religious doubt, lower religious salience, and lower prayer frequency at Wave 2 compared to those who never viewed porn. 

Considering the effect of porn-viewing frequency, viewing porn more often at Wave 1 corresponded to increases in religious doubt and declining religious salience at Wave 2. However, the effect of earlier pornography use on later religious service attendance and prayer was curvilinear: Religious service attendance and prayer decline to a point and then increase at higher levels of pornography viewing. Testing for interactions revealed that all effects appear to hold regardless of gender. 

Findings suggest that viewing pornography may lead to declines in some dimensions of religiosity but at more extreme levels may actually stimulate, or at least be conducive to, greater religiosity along other dimensions.

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By:  Samuel L. Perry^a*

• ^a Department of Sociology, University of Oklahoma

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Place Matters: Contextualizing the Roles of Religion & Race for Understanding Americans' Attitudes About Homosexuality

As laws and policies related to homosexuality have evolved, Americans' attitudes have also changed. Race and religion have been established as important indicators of feelings about homosexuality. However, researchers have given almost no attention to how county characteristics shape Americans' attitudes. 

Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling techniques, we examine how personal characteristics and the religious and racial context of a county shape feelings about homosexuality drawing on data from the American National Election Survey and information about where respondents reside. 

We find that African Americans initially appear less tolerant than other racial groups, until we account for the geographical distribution of attitudes across the nation. 

Additionally, once we consider religious involvement, strength of belief, and religious affiliation African Americans appear to have warmer feelings about homosexuality than whites. Drawing on the moral communities' hypothesis, we also find that the strength of religiosity amongst county residents heightens the influence of personal religious beliefs on disapproving attitudes. 

There is also a direct effect of the proportion conservative Protestant, whereby people of all faiths have cooler attitudes towards homosexual individuals when they reside in a county with a higher proportion of conservative Protestants. 

Finally, we do not find any evidence for an African American cultural influence on attitudes.

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By:  Adamczyk A1, Boyd KA2, Hayes BE3.

• 1John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA. Electronic address: AAdamczyk@jjay.cuny.edu.
• 2Department of Sociology, Philosophy, and Anthropology, The University of Exeter, UK.
• 3Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, USA. 
• Soc Sci Res. 2016 May;57:1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.02.001. Epub 2016 Feb 8.

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Reported Church Attendance at the Time of Entry into HIV Care is Associated with Viral Load Suppression at 12 Months

The Southeast has high rates of church attendance and HIV infection rates. We evaluated the relationship between church attendance and HIV viremia in a Southeastern US, HIV-infected cohort. 

Viremia (viral load ≥200 copies/ml) was analyzed 12 months after initiation of care. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fit for variables potentially related to viremia. Of 382 patients, 74 % were virally suppressed at 12 months. 

Protective variables included church attendance, being on antiretroviral therapy, CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count 200-350 cells/mm³ at care entry, and education. Variables predicting viremia included black race and selective disclosure of HIV status. 

Church attendance may provide needed support for patients entering HIV care for the first time.

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By:  Van Wagoner N1, Elopre L2, Westfall AO1, Mugavero MJ1, Turan J3, Hook EW1.

• 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 206, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
• 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, ZRB 206, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA. lelopre@uabmc.edu.
• 3Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA. 

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Religiosity as a Protective Factor for Hazardous Drinking and Drug Use among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Women

OBJECTIVE:

Despite research documenting disparities in risk for alcohol-related problems among sexual minority women, few studies explore potential protective factors within this population. This study examines how religiosity may function as a protective or risk factor for alcohol-problems or other substance use among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals.

METHOD:

Data from 11,169 women who responded to sexual identity and sexual behavior questions from three population-based National Alcohol Survey waves (2000, 2005, 2010) were utilized for analyses of religiosity in relation to lifetime drinking, past year hazardous drinking, and past year drug use.

RESULTS:

Religiosity was significantly greater among exclusively heterosexual women compared to all sexual minority groups (lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual women who report same sex partners). Lesbians reported the lowest rates of affiliation with religions/denominations discouraging alcohol use. Past year hazardous drinking and use of any illicit drugs were significantly lower among exclusively heterosexual women compared to all sexual minority groups. High religiosity was associated with lifetime alcohol abstention and was found to be protective against hazardous drinking and drug use among both sexual minority and heterosexual women. Reporting religious norms unfavorable to drinking was protective against hazardous drinking among exclusively heterosexual women but not sexual minority women.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings reveal the importance of considering sexual minority status in evaluation of religion or spirituality as protective among women. Future studies should explore religiosity in the context of other individual and environmental factors, such as positive identity development and community-level acceptance, which may be salient to resiliency among sexual minorities.

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By:  Drabble L1, Trocki KF2, Klinger JL3.

• 1San José State University School of Social Work, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0124, United States. Electronic address: laurie.drabble@sjsu.edu.
• 2Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 6475 Christie Ave. Suite 400, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: ktrocki@arg.org.
• 3Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 6475 Christie Ave. Suite 400, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: jklinger@arg.org. 
• Drug Alcohol Depend. 2016 Feb 2. pii: S0376-8716(16)00050-8. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.01.022.

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Psychological Well-Being among Religious and Spiritual-identified Young Gay and Bisexual Men

Religiosity and spirituality are often integral facets of human development. Young gay and bisexual men (YGBM), however, may find themselves at odds when attempting to reconcile potentially conflicting identities like religion and their sexual orientation. 

We sought to explore how different components of religiosity (participation, commitment, spiritual coping) are linked to different markers of psychological well-being (life purpose, self-esteem, and internalized homophobia). 

Using data collected in Metro Detroit (N = 351 ages 18-29 years; 47 % African American, 29 % Non-Latino White, 8 % Latino, 16 % Other Race), we examined how components of religiosity/spirituality were associated with psychological well-being among religious/spiritual-identified participants. 

An overwhelming majority (79.5 %) identified as religious/spiritual, with most YGBM (91.0 %) reporting spirituality as a coping source. Over three quarters of our religious/spiritual sample (77.7 %) reported attending a religious service in the past year. Religious participation and commitment were negatively associated with psychological well-being. 

Conversely, spiritual coping was positively associated with YGBM’s psychological well-being. Programs assisting YGBM navigate multiple/conflicting identities through sexuality-affirming resources may aid improve of their psychological well-being. 

We discuss the public health potential of increasing sensitivity to the religious/spiritual needs of YGBM across social service organizations.

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By:  

Steven Meanley

, Emily S. Pingel

, José A. Bauermeister 

University of Michigan School of Public Health

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Role of Religion in Preventing Youth Sexual Activity in Malaysia

One of the popular approaches of preventing youth sexual activity in Malaysia is using religion to promote premarital sexual abstinence. Despite this intervention, youth continue to practise premarital sex. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory mixed methods study was to understand the role of religion on sexual activity among college students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 

A self-administered questionnaire survey to determine the relationship between religiosity and youth sexual activity was carried out on 1026 students recruited from 12 randomly selected colleges. Concurrently, face-to-face interviews were conducted on 15 students to explore how religiosity had influenced their decision on sexual activity. The survey data were analysed using logistic regression, while the qualitative data from the interviews were examined using thematic analysis with separate analysis for each gender. Both quantitative and qualitative results were then compared and integrated. 

Religious activity significantly reduced the risk of continuing sexual activity among female students but not male students. There was no significant relationship of religious affiliation and intrinsic religiosity (inner faith) to sexual activity by gender. Having faith in religion and strong sexual desire were the main themes that explained participants' sexual behaviour. Engaging in religious activity might be effective at preventing female students from being sexually active. However, when sexual urges and desires are beyond control, religiosity might not be effective.

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By:  Muhammad NA1, Shamsuddin K2, Sulaiman Z3, Amin RM4, Omar K5.

• 1Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. drazimah@gmail.com.
• 2Community Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 3Women's Health Development Unit, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
• 4Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.
• 5Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• J Relig Health. 2016 Jan 25. 

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Torture and Long-Term Health Effects among Lebanese Female Political Prisoners

Lebanese prisoners during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon (1981-1999) were subject to regular torture. We examined the association between torture events and post-traumatic stress and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among former women political prisoners. 

We conducted a retrospective survey and performed health check-ups among 108 former women prisoners. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was measured through the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and CVDs were assessed by physicians' diagnoses. The study was conducted between September 2008 and March 2010. All 67 participants in the study reported having been subjected to a variety of torture events. 

The prevalence of PTSD was 28.4% and that of CVD was 16.42%, respectively. PTSD and CVD were more likely to occur among women who had had longer imprisonment periods, and PTSD specifically was associated with exposure to torture (beating and threatening by rape). CVD was associated with asphyxia with water. Devoutness decreased the risk of PTSD. Torture had adverse long-term effects on prisoners' physiological and psychological health; devoutness played a significant protective role. 

This study highlights the importance of documenting torture events and identifying the indicators of associated morbidity among surviving political prisoners for the provision of additional resources to care.

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By:  Ghaddar A1, Elsouri G2, Abboud Z3.

• 1Observatory of Public Policies and Health, Bonmarche Center, Beirut, Lebanon Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon ali.ghaddar@liu.edu.lb.
• 2Observatory of Public Policies and Health, Bonmarche Center, Beirut, Lebanon Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
• 3Khiam Rehabilitation Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
• J Interpers Violence. 2016 Feb;31(3):500-14. doi: 10.1177/0886260514555865. Epub 2014 Nov 6. 

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More U.S. Christians OK with Homosexuality

Read more at: goo.gl/ynuHQG 

Racial And Ethnic Trends & Correlates of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Opioids among Adolescents in the United States 2004-2013

PURPOSE:

Our objective was to elucidate the trends in non-medical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) among whites, African-Americans, and Hispanic adolescents in the United States. An additional aim was to examine the sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of NMUPO across each of these aforementioned racial and ethnic groups.

METHODS:

Data was derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) involving non-Hispanic white, African American, and Hispanic respondents ages 12-17 (n = 164,028) and spanning the years 2004-2013. Consistent with prior NSDUH-based studies, respondents reporting use within the previous 12 months were classified as nonmedical prescription opioid users. Logistic regression was used to examine significance of trend year and correlates of NMUPO.

RESULTS:

Non-Hispanic white youth consistently reported higher levels of NMUPO as did older adolescents (ages 15-17) and females. However, there was a decrease in the prevalence of NMUPO overall driven largely by a significant decline (p < 0.001) in NMUPO among non-Hispanic whites of approximately 35% over the study period such that by 2013 no statistically significant differences across race/ethnicity remained. Further, logistic regression models found that externalizing behaviors such as comorbid drug use and fighting was associated with NMUPO and religiosity and parental involvement were identified as protective correlates.

CONCLUSIONS:

To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify a declining trend in NMUPO among adolescents. Although the present study findings provide a source for optimism, there is still a relatively high prevalence of NMUPO and it remains to be seen whether our findings portend a long-term decline. Given the harm done by NMUPO, continued awareness and targeted prevention efforts should be implemented.

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By:   Vaughn MG1, Nelson EJ2, Salas-Wright CP3, Qian Z4, Schootman M4.

• 1School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Tegeler Hall, 3550 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States. Electronic address: mvaughn9@slu.edu.
• 2College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, United States. Electronic address: nelsonej@slu.edu.
• 3School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd D3500, Austin, TX 78712-0358, United States. Electronic address: salaswright@utexas.edu.
• 4College for Public Health and Social Justice, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, United States. 

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Religiosity & Youth Substance Use in a Muslim Context

The literature shows that young people are more vulnerable than adults to substance use. Religiosity is one of the factors that has been considered to protect youth from substance use and has also been interpreted as contributing to the substance abuse recovery process. 

Conceptualizing religiosity as a multidimensional construct, this study aimed to investigate the influence of religiosity on substance use among youth. Three dimensions of religiosity—belief about religion, religious self-practice, and religious social environment—were examined as predictors of substance use. 

The survey data collected in 2010 by the Governance of Istanbul, Istanbul Department of Education, and Istanbul Police Department were used. Participants were high school students (n = 31,272) between 14 and 18 years old. Structural equation modeling was used for statistical analysis and hypothesis testing. 

The study found a negative relationship between the three dimensions of religiosity and substance use. Religious social environment was found to be the strongest of the three dimensions. 

The findings suggest that religion has the potential to reduce the risk of substance use among youth. Implications for future research and policymakers were also discussed.

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By:  Ali Unlu^a* & Ismail Sahin^b

• ^a Sanliurfa Police Department, Turkish National Police, Sanliurfa City, Turkey
• ^b Ankara Police Department, Turkish National Police, Ankara, Turkey

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The Role of the Black Church in the Lives of Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

In the USA, the Black Church is among the most important institutions in the Black community, offering numerous spiritual, social and health benefits. Yet, the presence of homonegativity in many Black Churches may mitigate those effects for gay Black youth. This research examines the role of the Church in the lives of gay and bisexual Black youth to understand how they reconcile any tension between their religious and sexual identities. Through interviews with pastors of Black churches (n = 21) and young Black men who have sex with men (n = 30), we explored homonegativity and young men's experiences within the Black Church. 

Findings reveal that despite the prevalence of homonegativity within Black churches, religious involvement remains important for young men and many remain involved in non-affirming churches. The importance of the Church for young men stems from their significant involvement as youth and the integration of religion, family and community. Young men may not be able to leave their religious homes as readily as other gay youth given the cultural relevance of the Church. 

As a result, young men made attempts to conceal their sexuality in church to avoid shame and gossip and find opportunities to balance their sexuality and religiosity.

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By: Quinn K1, Dickson-Gomez J1, Kelly JA1.

• 1a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine , Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research , Milwaukee , USA.  

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The Relationship Between HIV Risk, High-Risk Behavior, Religiosity, and Spirituality among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Blacks in the USA, including black men who have sex with men (MSM), tend to have stronger religious and spiritual affiliations compared with other racial/ethnic populations. HIV and STD incidence rates continue to rise among Black MSM. Using data from the CDC Brothers y Hermanos (ByHS) project, this study examined correlations between high-risk behavior, e.g., substance use and high-risk sexual behavior (e.g., condom use history, unprotected sexual intercourse, HIV infection status, and STD infection status) religiosity, spirituality, age, among Black MSM (N = 1141). 

This exploratory study examined whether religiosity and spirituality were associated with high-risk behavior and high-risk sexual behavior among Black MSM. Religiosity and spirituality indices were compiled from the ByHS data. 

The religiosity index was significantly associated with HIV infection and use of cocaine, crack, and poppers as well as marginally associated with ecstasy use. Spirituality was significantly associated with HIV infection status, STD infection status, alcohol use, and crack use. 

Given these relationships, current and future HIV prevention models targeting Black MSM should consider the potential importance of the roles of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of Black MSM to increase the efficacy of risk reduction interventions.

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By: Watkins TL Jr1, Simpson C2, Cofield SS2, Davies S2, Kohler C2, Usdan S3.

• 1, 440 West 21st Street, New York, NY, 10011, USA. twatkins@gts.edu.
• 2The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
• 3The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.  

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Examining the Relationships Between Religiosity, Spirituality, Internalized Homonegativity, and Condom Use among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Deep South

The Sexual Health in Faith Traditions Study evaluated the relationships between religiosity, spirituality, internalized homonegativity, and sexual risk behaviors among a sample of African American men who have sex with men living in the Deep South. 

Participants were recruited primarily from Black Gay Pride celebrations to complete a self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey. Structural equation modeling was used to determine relationships between key constructs and condom use for insertive (n = 285) and receptive (n = 263) anal intercourse in the past 3 months. 

• Almost half of respondents reported using condoms "every time" when engaging in insertive (48.3%) or receptive (45.1%) anal intercourse. 
• Religiosity and spirituality were differentially associated with dimensions of internalized homonegativity. 
• While no significant direct relationships were reported between either religiosity or spirituality and condom use, dimensions of internalized homonegativity mediated significant indirect relationships. 

Findings suggest that religiosity and spirituality influence African American men who have sex with men's internalized homonegativity and, subsequently, engagement in safer sex behaviors.

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By: Smallwood SW1, Spencer SM2, Ingram LA2, Thrasher JF2, Thompson-Robinson MV3.

• 1Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
• 2University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
• 3University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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Homonegativity, Religiosity, and the Intersecting Identities of Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Young, Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Homonegativity, or the stigma associated with homosexuality, may be an important social factor influencing racial disparities in HIV. 

This research, conducted using an intersectional framework, examines experiences of homonegativity among YBMSM with a particular emphasis on the influence of the Black Church. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with YBMSM ages 16-24. Interview transcripts were analyzed in MAXQDA using thematic content analysis, guided by principles of grounded theory and constant comparative method. 

The Black Church is an integral aspect of YBMSM's identity, history, family, and community life. As such, the Church's construction of homosexuality dominated throughout YBMSM's lives. The expectations of masculinity facing YBMSM emphasize expectations of physical and sexual dominance, which are viewed as incompatible with homosexuality. Participants describe complex decision-making around whether to disclose their sexuality and to whom, and weigh the consequences of disclosure and non-disclosure. For many YBMSM, their multiple, intersecting identities significantly influenced their experiences with homonegativity and their decisions about disclosing their sexual orientation. 

Findings lend support for the need to develop community-, family-, and church-based stigma reduction interventions that address homonegativity among YBMSM.

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By: Quinn K1, Dickson-Gomez J2.

• 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, 2071 N. Summit, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA
• 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Center for AIDS Intervention Research, 2071 N. Summit, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA.
• 
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Hiding the Word: Examining the Relationship Between a New Measure of Religiosity and Sexual Behavior

The relationship between religiosity and sexual behavior has been previously investigated, but researchers have not examined the relationship between the intellectual dimension of religiosity and sexual behavior. In this study, we developed an intellectual measure of religiosity, Hiding the Word (HTW), and examined whether it accounted for variation in the sexual behavior of college students, beyond that for which age and a generic measure of religiosity could account. 

Results showed, after accounting for age and generic religiosity, HTW made a significant contribution to distinguishing between students who had, and those who had not, engaged in various sexual behaviors. For females, this was the case in three of the five behaviors examined (all except receiving oral sex and participating in unprotected penile-vaginal intercourse at most recent sexual encounter), and for males, two of the four behaviors (sexual intercourse and anal intercourse). HTW was less of a factor in accounting for variation in the frequency of participation. For males, HTW was significant for the frequency of participation in penile-vaginal intercourse, receiving oral sex, and the number of sexual partners in the last month. For females, HTW was significant only for the number of sexual partners in the last month. Thus, religiosity, and specifically HTW, seems to play more of a role in determining whether or not a person has participated in behavior, rather than in the frequency of participation.

Via:  http://ht.ly/QSsM6 HT @utarlington