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01-02-2020 | Original Paper

Bullying Victimization and Use of Substances in High School: Does Religiosity Moderate the Association?

Authors: Rima A. Afifi, Khalil El Asmar, Dima Bteddini, Moubadda Assi, Nasser Yassin, Sara Bitar, Lilian Ghandour

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use continue to pose serious public health concerns among youth. Bullying victimization has been identified as a risk factor and religiosity a protective factor for adolescent substance use. No previous research has examined the potential moderating role of religiosity. We explore the association between bullying victimization and substance use in adolescents with low and high levels of religiosity. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sample of high school students in greater Beirut. Binary and multinomial logistic models were used, adjusting for demographics, and stratified by level of religiosity. Of the 986 students responding to the survey, 65% were females; 48% had experienced some form of bullying; and 52% self-rated as low in religiosity. Between 10 and 30% were current users of alcohol or tobacco. Students of lower religiosity levels who had been bullied were more likely to use substances than those who self-rated as high religiosity. Religiosity may be a potential moderator of the association between being bullied and substance use, but the exact mechanisms and underlying reasons need further investigation.

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Title: Bullying Victimization and Use of Substances in High School: Does Religiosity Moderate the Association?
Authors: Rima A. Afifi
Khalil El Asmar
Dima Bteddini
Moubadda Assi
Nasser Yassin
Sara Bitar
Lilian Ghandour
Publication date: 01-02-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00789-8

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Bullying Victimization and Use of Substances in High School: Does Religiosity Moderate the Association?

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