Multidimensional Latent Religiosity Profiles and Sexual Behaviors in Late Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Studies assessing the relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviors in youth are limited by their use of single‐aspect measures of religiosity, assumption of linearity, and focus on coital behaviors. This study assessed how multidimensional latent profiles of religiosity were associated both with sexual risk behaviors and noncoital sex. Data were gathered using a national sample of emerging adults in Croatia (N = 1,210; Mage = 21.74, 48.0 percent female). Latent profile analysis provided a three‐profile model as the most robust solution, differentiating among the low, moderate, and high religiosity groups. The gradient pattern (differences among all profiles) was observed only in the association between religiosity and the frequency of masturbation and experiencing oral sex. The relationship between religiosity and other sexual behaviors either was nonlinear or not found. Overall, religiosity was associated with a more limited sexual repertoire. Its protective effect in sexual risk taking was small but relevant for the most religious youth.