Family Religiosity, Parental Monitoring, and Emerging Adults’ Sexual Behavior

Emerging Adult Risky Sexual Behavior: The Influence of Perceived Parental Religiosity and Perceived Parent-Child Relationship Quality in the USA

In the southern USA, where religiosity is higher than in other parts of the country, many researchers have questioned if the religiosity of parents plays a role in emerging adults' risky sexual behavior (RSB). Specifically, research suggests that certain aspects of religiosity (i.e., conservatism) are especially detrimental when examining RSB. In the current study, college students (N = 585, 65.5% women, 69.2% White, 25.0% Black) completed the following self-report measures: the Stearns-McKinney Assessment of Religious Traits - Short Form, the Parental Environment Questionnaire, and the Student Sexual Risks Scale. Results of path analysis (reported statistics have p < .05) indicated that perceived maternal relationship quality had a significant negative association with RSB in emerging adult women, β = -.27, and men, β = -.20; perceived paternal relationship quality also associated negatively with RSB in women, β = -.12, and men, β = -.20. Of all the parental religiosity variables, only perceived maternal conservatism had a significant effect, where it demonstrated a positive association with RSB in women, β = .34, and men, β = -.20. These results suggest that perceived parent-child relationship quality and perceived maternal conservative religiosity influence emerging adult RSB. This study presents novel insight into the specific aspects of perceived parental religiosity that, at least in the current study, are found to influence RSB.

The guilt that guides me: religiosity, sex guilt, and the demonization of sex workers

Religiosity and sex-related attitudes are often correlated, and on occasion negatively. That is, as religiosity increases, sexual attitudes tend to become more conservative or generally more disapproving in valence. Recent research suggests that one's own sex guilt may be the mediating influence in this relationship. A series of two studies sought to extend that research and examine the extent to which an individual's religiosity and sex guilt influences their perspective of pornography and sex workers. A survey containing relevant measures was distributed to undergraduate participants as well as individuals from Amazon.com's MTurk. Results indicate that individuals high in religiosity have more negative views of pornography in general, and more demonizing views toward sex workers. However, it was their own sex guilt that mediated that relationship. This study replicates and adds to our current understanding of how religiosity and disparaging views of sex are related, but also shows the importance of including sex guilt as an influential individual difference.

Religiosity and Associations with Substance Use and Delinquency Among Urban African American Adolescents

Adolescent delinquency and substance use are global problems. African American adolescents are especially susceptible to the life-changing consequences of these problem behaviors. Religiosity is a notable protective factor that has been shown to mitigate these behaviors. This study uses a person-centered approach to examine the extent to which religiosity is associated with lower rates of delinquency and substance use among urban African American adolescents in the United States. Latent Class Analysis was used to examine the heterogeneity in five religiosity items among a sample of adolescents ages 13-18. After identifying religiosity classes through a class enumeration process, we examined predictors of the classes using multinomial logistic regression. The classes were then used to predict several substance use and delinquency outcomes. Three religiosity classes were identified; "low religious beliefs and engagement," (15.19%, n = 94), "religious with low active engagement," (56.70%, n = 351), and "religious with high active engagement," (28.11%, n = 174). Protective effects of religiosity on substance use (e.g., alcohol) and delinquency were found (e.g., assault). Implications for research and practice are discussed.

A meta-analytic exploration of associations between religious service attendance and sexual risk taking in adolescence and emerging adulthood

Findings since 2000 about the association between the frequency of religious service attendance (formal religiosity) and sexual risk taking in adolescents and emerging adults were explored. A systematic literature search (April 2020) focused on articles with data on religiosity and age at sexual debut, number of sexual partners, condom use at most recent sexual intercourse, and consistent condom use. A total of 27 studies with 37,430 participants (Mage = 18.4, range: 12-25, 43.5% male) were included. In random-effects meta-analysis, the link between formal religiosity and sexual risk taking was significant only for age at sexual debut (r = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.13) and the number of sexual partners (r = -0.14, 95% CI = -0.19, -0.09). Weak associations between the constructs of interest indicate that formal religiosity is not sufficient to protect young people's sexual health.

Reasons for Moral-Based Opposition to Pornography in a U.S. Nationally Representative Sample

Pornography use is a common-but-controversial activity that many people object to or morally disapprove of. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of the reasons for such moral opposition. Although some prior research has assessed characteristics that influence moral opposition to pornography, most research has done so using various forced-choice methods. The present study aimed to better understand the reasoning behind moral-based opposition to pornography by using open-ended questioning and exploring the relationship between these reasons and pornography use habits. To achieve these aims, we analyzed data from a nationally representative U.S. sample, specifically studying individuals who reported moral beliefs opposing pornography (N = 1,020). Results revealed 14 general themes (e.g., religion/spirituality; concerns about abuse; disgust) in the reasons participants reported for their moral disapproval of pornography, many of which were related to individual difference variables such as gender, age, religiousness, and political preferences. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are also discussed.

A qualitative exploration of motivations for fasting and the impact of Ramadan on eating behaviors and body image among young adult Muslim women in the United Kingdom

Research exploring the impact of fasting in Ramadan on eating behaviors has focused on Muslim-majority countries and has neglected to examine impacts beyond the month when "normal" eating patterns resume. This study aimed to explore the experiences of United Kingdom-residing young adult Muslim women who were fasting in Ramadan to understand its impact on their body image and eating behaviors both during and 1-month following Ramadan. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Muslim women aged between 18 and 35 (Mage = 27.3) at two distinct time-points: during the last week of Ramadan and 1-2 months later. The interviews explored questions related to motivations for fasting, experience of fasting in Ramadan, and eating behaviors and thoughts related to body image and appearance. Thematic Analysis revealed three themes: (1) family and community expectations to fast (2) exertion of control of on eating behaviors and (3) preoccupation with weight and appearance. The results suggest that family and community play a strong role in motivating women to fast during Ramadan, alongside the need to feel a sense of belonging to their community. This can conflict with the pressure and desire to assimilate with Western culture and associated appearance ideals, thus putting women at greater risk of disordered eating and body image concerns. These findings suggest important implications for increased support in the Muslim community, and the need for further research to explore this topic across longer time-points and in different cultural groups.

Transcultural theory in nursing care of women with infections

OBJECTIVE

To analyze how nurses consider, in their practice of healthcare, the sociocultural context of women with sexually transmitted infections.

METHOD

Qualitative research, carried out in October 2017, with ten nurses working in teams of the Estratégia de Saúde da Família (Family Health Strategy). The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, subsequently transcribed, and submitted to the organization supported by the Discourse of the Collective Subject method and analyzed according to Madeleine Leininger's transcultural theory.

RESULTS

Nurses identified the sociocultural aspects of women with sexually transmitted infections and recognized the presence of influencing factors: technological, religious, economic, political, and legal, kinship and social, cultural values, and lifeways.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The study found that the provision of care by nurses in Primary Health Care is close to the sociocultural aspects of these women when considering the beliefs and values of each individual, especially regarding the life context and their care experiences.