Work

Religiosity and hazardous substance use: The moderating role of trauma‐related shame

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hazardous substance use is a major public health concern among individuals with a history of sexual victimization. Although increased religiosity has been known to serve as a protective factor against hazardous substance use, religious individuals with a history of sexual victimization may be at a greater risk for hazardous substance use due to difficulties reconciling sexual victimization with their religious beliefs. Individuals with greater trauma-related shame may engage in hazardous substance use as a means of coping with the traumatic event. METHOD: = 34.57, 50% women). RESULTS: Results suggested that organizational, nonorganizational, and intrinsic religiosity were positively associated with hazardous alcohol use at higher, but not lower, levels of trauma-related shame. Organizational and intrinsic religiosity were positively associated with hazardous drug use at higher, but not lower, levels of trauma-related shame. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to examine the role of trauma-related shame in the relationship between religiosity and hazardous substance use. The findings underline the importance of targeting trauma-related shame in religious individuals with a history of sexual victimization.

Source: American Journal on Addictions

DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13369

Authors: Isabella Channell, Emmanuel D. Thomas, Shannon R. Forkus, Gianna Salvatore, Monica Vieira, Nicole H. Weiss

Institution: University of Rhode Island

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of General Medical Sciences