Date of Graduation
Summer 2024
Degree
Master of Science in Psychology
Department
Mental Health & Behavioral Science
Committee Chair
Ashley Payne
Abstract
Limited research exists on the longitudinal effects of religiosity and sexual health education on adolescents' sexual risk behaviors and their transition into adulthood. This study used The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data to investigate these effects in a nationally representative sample. Linear regression analyses explored associations between religiosity, sexual health knowledge (SHK), and sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Findings revealed significant associations between adolescent religiosity and SRBs, predicting SRBs during adolescence. However, religiosity's influence diminished in emerging adulthood, and SHK did not mediate the relationship between adolescent religiosity and SRBs. These results highlight the complex interplay between religiosity, SHK, and SRBs across developmental stages, offering practical implications and avenues for future research.
Keywords
religiosity, sexual health knowledge, sexual behaviors, adolescents, emerging adults
Subject Categories
School Psychology | Social Psychology
Copyright
© Erinmarie Travis
Recommended Citation
Travis, Erinmarie, "Unraveling the Interplay: Religiosity, Sexual Health Knowledge, and Sexual Behaviors" (2024). MSU Graduate Theses. 3991.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3991
