Influence of Religiosity on Adolescent Chronic Physiological Stress

This study investigated the relationship between religiosity and chronic physiologic stress in 508 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years, using hair cortisol levels as a stress measure. The findings showed a nonlinear association between attendance at religious services and stress levels, with occasional attendees having the lowest cortisol levels, while regular or non-attendees had higher levels. No significant relationship was found between involvement in religious youth activities and stress. Interestingly, adolescents who rated the importance of religious faith as very high had higher cortisol levels. These results contradicted previous studies suggesting religiosity reduces perceived stress, indicating a need for further research to understand the complex relationship between religiosity and physiologic stress in adolescents.