Abstract

Experiencing sexual abuse and family violence/conflict is related to greater risk of adolescent substance use (drugs, alcohol and cigarettes), with significant health implications. Religion and spirituality are connected with less substance use, which may be even more true for adolescents with a history of abuse, violence and conflict. Currently Nordic research on this topic is lacking, but the Nordic religious context is unique, with populous State churches but low public attendance at religious events. This study examined the relationships of sexual abuse and family violence/conflict with substance use, as well as the buffering effects of religion (religious participation and parent and peer religion, PPR) and spirituality (one’s own relationship with a higher power). Population survey data from Icelandic adolescents (N = 7365) were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression. Sexual abuse and family violence/conflict related to greater substance use. Spirituality and PPR were connected to less substance use, but religious participation related to greater use of drugs and cigarettes. Both spirituality and PPR buffered the relationships between sexual abuse and family violence/conflict and cigarette use. In addition, spirituality was a buffer between sexual abuse and family violence/conflict and drug use. Certain aspects of religion and spirituality may therefore have positive effects on adolescents, which are particularly pronounced for victims of sexual abuse and family violence/conflict. More research is needed to fully understand these relationships and how they relate to the lives of Nordic youth.

摘要

遭受性虐待和家庭暴力/冲突与使用青少年物质（毒品，酒精和香烟）的更大风险有关，对健康产生重大影响。宗教和灵性与较少使用毒品有关，这对于有虐待，暴力和冲突历史的青少年可能更为真实。当前缺乏北欧人对此主题的研究，但是北欧宗教背景是独特的，拥有大量的国立教堂，但公众参加宗教活动的人数很少。这项研究检查了性虐待和家庭暴力/冲突与物质使用之间的关系，以及宗教（宗教参与以及父母和同伴宗教，PPR）和灵性（具有更高权力的人际关系）的缓冲作用。冰岛青少年的人口调查数据（N = 7365）使用分层线性回归进行了分析。与滥用更多毒品有关的性虐待和家庭暴力/冲突。精神和PPR与较少使用毒品有关，但宗教参与与毒品和香烟的更多使用有关。精神和PPR都缓冲了性虐待与家庭暴力/冲突和吸烟之间的关系。此外，灵性是性虐待与家庭暴力/冲突与吸毒之间的缓冲。因此，宗教和灵性的某些方面可能对青少年产生积极影响，这对于性虐待和家庭暴力/冲突的受害者尤为明显。需要更多的研究来充分了解这些关系以及它们与北欧年轻人的生活之间的关系。