Differential effects of religiosity on the mental health problems of adolescent natives and immigrants in Sweden: A three-wave longitudinal study

Background: Previous research has suggested that religiosity contributes to preventing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, among adolescents. However, it is reasonable to suspect that the protective effect of religiosity on mental health problems is relatively stronger in immigrant populations than in native populations since immigrants are more likely to be challenged by experiences of migration, resettlement, and discrimination. The current study tests and compares the protective effects of religiosity on the mental health problems of adolescent natives and immigrants in Sweden. Design: Three waves of longitudinal data from 4366 adolescents in Sweden were retrieved from Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Survey in Four European Countries (CILS4EU). The data were collected between 2010/ 2011 and 2012/2013, when the participants were on average 14-16 years old. Three subsamples were analysed separately, including natives (n = 2459), first-generation immigrants (n = 560), and second-generation immigrants (n = 1347). Latent growth curve models were estimated and plotted. Results: Religiosity predicted less mental health problems among first- and second-generation immigrants throughout the period of data collection, from age 14 to age 16. By contrast, religiosity was associated with more initial mental health problems among adolescent natives. Conclusion: To prevent mental health problems among adolescents, the findings of the current study suggest that it may be necessary to develop specific prevention strategies for specific adolescent populations. Also, early interventions to facilitate religiosity among adolescent immigrants may have lasting, preventive effects on their mental health problems.