Associations of maternal and adolescent religiosity and spirituality with adolescent alcohol use in Chile: Implications for social work practice

Abstract

To inform social work practice with adolescents who may consume alcohol, we examined if alcohol use among Chilean adolescents varied as a function of their mothers’ and their own religiosity and spirituality. Data were from 787 Chilean adolescents and their mothers. Adolescent spirituality was a protective factor against more deleterious alcohol use. Parental monitoring and alcohol using opportunities mediated the associations. The practice of religious behaviors by themselves without meaningful faith were not associated with alcohol use among adolescents. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Keywords

Adolescents alcohol use alcohol use opportunities Chile parental monitoring religiosity spirituality

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