The Role of Religiosity in Adolescent and Young Adult Sexual Behavior

Laurencia S. Hutton, Morgan State University
Mian B. Hossain, Morgan State University

Sexuality is an integral part of human life. The desire to express sexuality continues throughout life, therefore it is important to establish healthy sexual practices early in the life course. Religiosity has been shown to have a protective effect on adolescent and young adult sexual behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of religiosity in sexual behavior during adolescence and young adulthood. Data will be analyzed from Waves I, II and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The sample includes unmarried, sexually active young adults who were at least 15 years old at Wave I and participated in all three waves of the study. In addition to descriptive and bivariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression and growth curve analysis will be used to examine the concurrent and developmental relationship between religiosity and sexual behavior.