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Abstract

This study examined differences between Latter-day Saint (LDS) and non-Latter-day-Saint (non-LDS) females in desire to engage in substance use and eating behaviors in response to negative emotion. Additionally, differences between LDS and non-LDS females regarding body image, as well as body image differences between LDS females residing inside Utah and outside Utah, were explored. Findings suggested that non-LDS females were more likely to experience increased urges to use substances in response to negative emotion than LDS females, consistent with LDS doctrine teaching the aviodance of substance use. LDS females also did not appear to substitute LDS-sanctioned eating behaviors for substance use in response to negative emotion. Additionally, LDS females were found to have a more postive body image than non-LDS females generally, although LDS females in Utah have less postive body images than LDS females residing in other states. Implications of these findings for the prevention of substance abuse and body image dysfunction are discussed.

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