Objective: This study examines the association between religiosity, self-esteem, and ethnic pride in adolescents.
Methods: Sexually active African American adolescent females (N=522) completed a self-administered survey and in-depth private interview. The survey assessed religious affiliation and religiosity. Religiosity was assessed using a four-item scale, an example of a scale item is "How often do you pray or meditate?". Additionally, the survey assessed adolescents' self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Finally, the interview assessed ethnic pride using a thirteen-item, four-point Likert scale; an example of a scale item is "I have spent time trying to find out more about Black history, traditions and culture." (Cronbach's alpha=.74).
Results: In the multivariate analysis, controlling for dual parent family, primary caretaker and parental monitoring, adolescents who were more religious were more likely to have higher self-esteem (OR=1.7, p=.005) and greater ethnic pride (OR=2.2, p=.0001).
Conclusions: These findings suggest the importance of integrating religiosity into motivational, self-help programs for adolescents.
Learning Objectives: 1. "During this session, faculty will discuss recent research regarding the relationship between religiosity, self-esteem, and ethnic pride in sexually active African American adolescents." 2. "During this session, faculty will discuss implications regarding integrating issues of religiosity into motivational self-help programs for adolescents."
Keywords: Adolescents, Ethnicity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.