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Open Access 01-01-2019 | Original Article

“I am spiritual, but not religious”: Does one without the other protect against adolescent health-risk behaviour?

Authors: Klara Malinakova, Jaroslava Kopcakova, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Jitse P. van Dijk, Jana Furstova, Michal Kalman, Peter Tavel, Sijmen A. Reijneveld

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Objectives

Spirituality and religious attendance (RA) have been suggested to protect against adolescent health-risk behaviour (HRB). The aim of this study was to explore the interrelatedness of these two concepts in a secular environment.

Methods

A nationally representative sample (n = 4566, 14.4 ± 1.1 years, 48.8% boys) of adolescents participated in the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children cross-sectional study. RA, spirituality (modified version of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale), tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and drug use and the prevalence of sexual intercourse were measured.

Results

RA and spirituality were associated with a lower chance of weekly smoking, with odds ratios (OR) 0.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.88] for RA and 0.88 (0.80–0.97) for spirituality. Higher spirituality was also associated with a lower risk of weekly drinking [OR (95% CI) 0.91 (0.83–0.995)]. The multiplicative interaction of RA and spirituality was associated with less risky behaviour for four of five explored HRB. RA was not a significant mediator for the association of spirituality with HRB.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that high spirituality only protects adolescents from HRB if combined with RA.

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Title: “I am spiritual, but not religious”: Does one without the other protect against adolescent health-risk behaviour?
Authors: Klara Malinakova
Jaroslava Kopcakova
Andrea Madarasova Geckova
Jitse P. van Dijk
Jana Furstova
Michal Kalman
Peter Tavel
Sijmen A. Reijneveld
Publication date: 01-01-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-018-1116-4

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

“I am spiritual, but not religious”: Does one without the other protect against adolescent health-risk behaviour?

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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