Changes in Religiosity After First Intercourse in the Transition to Adulthood

Religiosity delays initiation of sexual behavior, but the association may be bidirectional, and individuals may become less religious after first intercourse. This study uses longitudinal data from college students to examine whether two aspects of religiosity change before and after first intercourse using multiphase growth curve models. Students' religiosity did not change in the six months preceding first intercourse, but on average they attended services less often and felt religion was less important in the twelve months after first intercourse. These findings suggest that sexual behavior can influence religious development in emerging adulthood, and underscore the importance of studying the impact of sexuality beyond the health outcomes typically studied, and of examining how life events influence religious development in adolescence and emerging adulthood.