Measurement of religiosity/spirituality in adolescent health outcomes research: trends and recommendations.
The relationship between religious/spiritual (R/S) factors and adolescent health outcomes has been studied for decades; however, the R/S measurement tools used may not be developmentally relevant for adolescents. A systematic literature review was conducted to review and evaluate trends in measuring R/S in adolescent health outcomes research. In this review a total of 100 articles met criteria for inclusion. Relatively few (n = 15) included adolescent-specific R/S measures or items accounting for developmentally relevant issues such as parental religiosity or age-appropriate language. Future R/S and health research with adolescents would be strengthened by incorporating developmentally relevant R/S measurement tools, psychometrics, and multidimensional measures.
Cotton
Sian
S
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, P.O. Box 670840, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0840, USA. sian.cotton@uc.edu
McGrady
Meghan E
ME
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality