Religion: Soutien divin et tension psychologique

The authors investigate the relationship between religion and delinquent behaviour, under conditions of strain. They analyse data from a representative sample of Icelandic adolescents. Building on both the literature from religion and deviance as well as social stress literature they test a model of main and buffer effects of perceived divine support under conditions of strain in adolescents' lives. The model receives considerable support. The study shows that both structural support, measured as religious participation and functional support, measured as perceived support from one's God, hinder delinquency. Divine support, however, does not condition the effects of strain on the outcome variable.