While this and other studies have found religiosity to be associated with better mental health and fewer risk behaviors, some research suggests that young men who have sex with men (YMSM) may experience higher levels of stress when attempting to integrate their sexual identity with their religious and/or spiritual beliefs ( de Monteflores, 1993 Gonsiorek, 1995). In fact, the ongoing longitudinal National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), while contributing a great deal to the knowledge about the role religion plays in adolescent and young adults’ lives, does not include questions related to sexual identity or sexuality, limiting their findings for non-heterosexual adolescents and young adults. However, few studies have explored the intersection between sexuality and religion among adolescents and emerging adults ( Sherkat, 2002). Prior studies of religiosity, which have focused primarily on heterosexual adolescents, found positive associations between higher religiosity and familial support ( Ellison, Boardman, Williams, & Jackson, 2001 Regnerus & Elder, 2003), improved mental health ( Eliassen, Taylor, & Lloyd, 2005 Ellison et al., 2001 Nonnemaker et al., 2003), lower drug use ( Nonnemaker et al., 2003 Steinman & Zimmerman, 2004) and safer sex ( Hardy & Raffaelli, 2003 Nonnemaker et al., 2003 Steinman & Zimmerman, 2004).
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There has been a growing body of research focused on the relationship between religiosity and adolescent health and well-being ( Nonnemaker, McNeely, & Blum, 2003 Werner & Smith, 1992).