Adverse Adolescent Experiences and Condomless Sex Among Heterosexual and Sexually Minoritized African American Adolescents: Religious Participation as a Buffer

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Sexual Health

Volume

38

Issue

2

DOI

10.1080/19317611.2025.2583153

First Page

580

Last Page

594

Abstract

Objective: The present study examines whether religious participation buffers the association between adverse adolescent experiences and condom use and whether findings might differ by sexual identity. Method: In this exploratory study, a cross-sectional survey, which was administered between August 2013 and January 2014 to 230 adolescents identifying as heterosexual and 56 identifying as sexual minorities in Chicago, is analyzed. The moderating role of religious participation is assessed to clarify how religious participation might buffer the association between adverse adolescent experiences (i.e., neighborhood violence exposure, bullying victimization, and witnessing adverse parental experiences) and condomless sex. Results: The results suggest that religious participation is significant in moderating condomless sex, but only for sexually minoritized respondents. Religious participation is significant in lower reported condomless sex for heterosexual respondents, but only when they also report neighborhood violence exposure. Conclusion: Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Funding Sponsor

Center for Health Administration Studies

Keywords

adverse adolescent experiences, African Americans, condom use, sexual minority, unsafe sex

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