Spirituality and Religion: Intertwined Protective Factors for Substance Use among Urban American Indian Youth

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This article explores the aspects of spirituality and religious involvement that may be the protective factors against substance use among urban American Indian (AI) youth. METHODS: Data come from AI youth (N = 123) in five urban middle schools in a southwestern metropolis. RESULTS: Ordinary least squares regression analyses indicated that following Christian beliefs and belonging to the Native American Church were associated with lower levels of substance use. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Following AI traditional spiritual beliefs was associated with antidrug attitudes, norms, and expectancies. Having a sense of belonging to traditions from both AI cultures and Christianity may foster integration of the two worlds in which urban AI youth live.