Religiosity as a factor protecting against problem behaviour in adolescence
Keywords:
problem behaviour, religiosity, adolescence
Abstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pepsi-2015-0003
This article explores the question, to what degree religiosity contributes, as a protecting factor against a broad category of socially deviant adolescent and youth behaviours. It also tests the hypothesis that gender plays a moderating role in the relationship between religiosity and problem behaviour. It employs a modified version of the Problem Behaviour Syndrome Measure (PBSM), in concert with Jessor and Jessor’s conceptual work. It also makes use of the Duke Religion Index (DUREL) to assess religiosity. The empirical study deals with a representative group of 960 students of upper-secondary schools in the Lubelskie province, Poland. The results were analyzed using canonical analysis and ANOVA. The achievements of the article are twofold. First, it identifies signifi- cant correlations between the different levels of religiosity among youth, and the occurrence and intensification of problem behaviours, particularly in regard to organized activity. Organized and intrinsic religiosity play principal protective roles, while the impact of personal religious practices is less significant. Secondly, while analyzing the moderating role of gender in the relationship between religiosity and the intensity of problem behaviour, it was found that gender does not have a significant interactive impact. An affirmative conclusion was confirmed in only two instances.
References
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Brechting, E. H., Brown, T. L., Salsman, J. M., Sauer, S. E., Holeman, V. T., & Carlson, C. R. (2010). The role of religious beliefs and behaviors in predicting underage alcohol use. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 19, 324-334.
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Cheung, C., Yeung, J., W. (2011). Meta-analysis of relationships between religiosity and constructive and destructive behaviors among adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 376-385.
Ellison, C. G., Bradshaw, M., Rote, S., Storch, J., & Trevino, M. (2008). Religion and alcohol use among college students: Exploring the role of domain-specific religious salience. Journal of Drug Issues, 38, 821-846.
French, D., C., Purwono, U., Rodkin, P., C. (2012). Religiosity of Adolescents and their Friends and Network Associates: Homophily and Associations With Antisocial Behavior. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 22, 326-332.
Good M., & Willoughby, T. (2006). The role of spirituality versus religiosity in adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35, 41-55.
Hodge, D. R., Andereck, K., & Montoya, H. (2007). The protective influence of spiritual-religious lifestyle profiles on tobacco use, alcohol use, and gambling. Social Work Research, 31, 211-219.
Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1977). Problem behavior and psychosocial development: A longitudinal study of youth. New York, NY: Academic Press.
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Niewiadomska, I. (2007). Analiza poczucia sensu życia jako wymiaru doświadczania własnej godności przez nieletnich. In A., Królikowska, Z., Marek (Eds.), Refleksje nad godnością człowieka, (pp. 75-92), Kraków: „Ignatianum”, Wyd. WAM.
Niewiadomska, I. & Wałejsza, A. (2005). Preferencja stylu życia jako sposobu realizacji wartości u recydywistów penitencjarnych. In J., Świtka, M., Kuć, I., Niewiadomska (Eds.), Rola wartości moralnych w procesie socjalizacji i resocjalizacji, (pp. 159-173), Lublin: Wyd. KUL.
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Pitel, L., Madarasova-Geckova,A., Kolarcik, P., Halama, P., Reijneveld, S., A., van Dijk J., P. (2012). Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and health-related behaviour among adolescents. Journal of Epidemiology Community Health, 66, 1122–1128.
Rollocks, S., & Dass, N. (2007). Influence of religious affiliation in alcohol use among adolescents in Trinidad, Tobago, and St. Lucia: a follow-up study. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 33, 185-189.
Salas-Wright, C., P., Vaughn M., G., Hodge D., R., Perron B., E. (2012). Religiosity Profiles of American Youth in Relation to Substance Use, Violence, and Delinquency. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 41, 1560-1575.
Schwartz, S. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1-66.
Sinha, J., W., Cnaan, R., A., Gelles, R., J. (2007). Adolescent risk behaviors and religion: findings from a national study. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 231-249.
Stolz, H., E., Olsen, J., A., Henke, T., M., Barber B., K. (2013). Adolescent Religiosity and Psychosocial Functioning: Investigating the Roles of Religious Tradition, National-Ethnic. Child Development Research, 2013, ID814059, 13 pages.
Wagener, L.M., Furrow, J., L., King, P., E., Leffert,N., Benson, P. (2003). Religious involvement and developmental resources in youth. Review of Religious Research, 44, 271-284.
Walker, C., Ainette, M., G., Wills, T., A., Mendoza, D. (2007). Religiosity and substance use: test of an indirect-effect model in early and middle adolescence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 84-96.
Wallace, L., H., Moak, S., C., Moore, N., T. (2005). Religion as an insulator of delinquency in schools. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 29, 217-233.
Wallace, J., M., & Forman, T., A. (1998). Religion’s role in promoting health and reducing risk among American youth. Health Education & Behavior, 25, 721-741.
Wells G., M. (2010). The Effect of Religiosity and Campus Alcohol Culture on Collegiate Alcohol Consumption. Journal of American College Health, 58, 295-304.
Wills, T., A., Yaeger, A., M., Sandy, J., M. (2003). Buffering Effect of Religiosity for Adolescent Substance Use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors,17, 24-31.
Zhang, J., & Jin, S. (1996). Determinants of suicide ideation: A comparison of Chinese and American college students. Adolescence, 31, 451-467.
Bartczuk, R. & Jarosz, M. (2006). Funkcja religijności w procesie radzenia sobie ze stresem. Koncepcja Kennetha I. Pargamenta. Roczniki Psychologiczne, 9(1), 37–52.
Berkman, L., & Glass, T. (2000). Social integration, social networks, social support and health. In L., Berkman, I., Kawachi (Eds.). Social Epidemiology, (pp. 137-173), New York: Oxford University Press.
Borders, T. F., Curran, G. M., Mattox, R., & Booth, B. M. (2010). Religiousness among at-risk drinkers: Is it prospectively associated with the development or maintenance of an alcohol-use disorder? Journal of Studies on Alcohol & Drugs, 71, 136-142.
Bodford, J., E. & Hussong, A., M. (2013). Moderators of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Alcohol Use in College Students. Journal of Psychology & Theology, 41, 78-93.
Brechting, E. H., Brown, T. L., Salsman, J. M., Sauer, S. E., Holeman, V. T., & Carlson, C. R. (2010). The role of religious beliefs and behaviors in predicting underage alcohol use. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 19, 324-334.
Casey, D., M., Williams, R., J., Mossière, A., M., Schopflocher, D., P., Guebaly, N., Hodgins, D., C., Smith, G., J., Wood, R., T. (2011). The role of family, religiosity, and behavior in adolescent gambling. Journal of Adolescence, 34, 841-851.
Chadwick, B., A., & Top, B., L. (1993). Religiosity and delinquency among LDS adolescents. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 32, 51-67.
Cheung, C., Yeung, J., W. (2011). Meta-analysis of relationships between religiosity and constructive and destructive behaviors among adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 376-385.
Ellison, C. G., Bradshaw, M., Rote, S., Storch, J., & Trevino, M. (2008). Religion and alcohol use among college students: Exploring the role of domain-specific religious salience. Journal of Drug Issues, 38, 821-846.
French, D., C., Purwono, U., Rodkin, P., C. (2012). Religiosity of Adolescents and their Friends and Network Associates: Homophily and Associations With Antisocial Behavior. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 22, 326-332.
Good M., & Willoughby, T. (2006). The role of spirituality versus religiosity in adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35, 41-55.
Hodge, D. R., Andereck, K., & Montoya, H. (2007). The protective influence of spiritual-religious lifestyle profiles on tobacco use, alcohol use, and gambling. Social Work Research, 31, 211-219.
Jessor, R., & Jessor, S. L. (1977). Problem behavior and psychosocial development: A longitudinal study of youth. New York, NY: Academic Press.
Jessor, R., Turbin, M. S., Costa, F. M., Dong, Q., Zhang, H., & Wang, Z. (2003). Adolescent problem behavior in China and the United States: A cross-national study of psychosocial protective factors. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13, 329–360.
Johnson, B. R., de Li, S., Larson, D. B., & McCullough, M. (2000). A systematic review of the religiosity and delinquency literature. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 16, 35-52.
Johnson, B., R., Jang, S., J., de Li, S., Larson, D. (2000). The “invisible institution” and black youth crime: the church as an agency of local social control. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29, 479-498.
King, P. E., & Roeser, R. W. (2009). Religion and spirituality in adolescent development. In R. M., & L. (Eds.), (3rd ed.). Handbook of adolescent psychology, vol. 1. (pp. 435−478), Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Laird, R., D., Marks, L., D., Marrero, M., D. (2011). Religiosity, self-control, and antisocial behavior: Religiosity as a promotive and protective factor. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 32, 78-85.
Landrine, H., Richardson, J., Klondoff, E., Flay, B. (1994). Cultural diversity in the predictors of adolescent cigarette smoking: the relative influence of peers. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17, 331-336.
Miller, L., Davies, M., & Greenwald, S. (2000). Religiosity and substance use and abuse amongadolescents in the National Comorbidity Survey. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 39, 1190-1197.
Miller, L., & Gur, M. (2002). Religiousness and sexual responsibility in adolescent girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 401-406.
Milot A., S., & Ludden, A., B. (2009). The effects of religion and gender on wellbeing, substance use, and academic engagement among rural adolescents. Youth and Society, 40, 403-425.
Niewiadomska, I. (2009). Doświadczana ocena społeczna jako czynnik warunkujący potencjał poprawczy sprawców przestępstw agresywnych. In B., Gulla, M., Wysocka-Pleczyk (Eds.), Przestępczość nieletnich. Dziecko jako ofiara i sprawca przemocy, (pp. 227-240), Kraków: Wyd. UJ.
Niewiadomska, I. (2007). Analiza poczucia sensu życia jako wymiaru doświadczania własnej godności przez nieletnich. In A., Królikowska, Z., Marek (Eds.), Refleksje nad godnością człowieka, (pp. 75-92), Kraków: „Ignatianum”, Wyd. WAM.
Niewiadomska, I. & Wałejsza, A. (2005). Preferencja stylu życia jako sposobu realizacji wartości u recydywistów penitencjarnych. In J., Świtka, M., Kuć, I., Niewiadomska (Eds.), Rola wartości moralnych w procesie socjalizacji i resocjalizacji, (pp. 159-173), Lublin: Wyd. KUL.
Nonnemaker, J., M., McNeely, C., A., Blum, R., W. (2003). Public and private domains of religiosity and adolescent health risk behaviors: evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Social Science & Medicine, 57, 2049-2054.
Pitel, L., Madarasova-Geckova,A., Kolarcik, P., Halama, P., Reijneveld, S., A., van Dijk J., P. (2012). Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and health-related behaviour among adolescents. Journal of Epidemiology Community Health, 66, 1122–1128.
Rollocks, S., & Dass, N. (2007). Influence of religious affiliation in alcohol use among adolescents in Trinidad, Tobago, and St. Lucia: a follow-up study. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 33, 185-189.
Salas-Wright, C., P., Vaughn M., G., Hodge D., R., Perron B., E. (2012). Religiosity Profiles of American Youth in Relation to Substance Use, Violence, and Delinquency. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 41, 1560-1575.
Schwartz, S. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1-66.
Sinha, J., W., Cnaan, R., A., Gelles, R., J. (2007). Adolescent risk behaviors and religion: findings from a national study. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 231-249.
Stolz, H., E., Olsen, J., A., Henke, T., M., Barber B., K. (2013). Adolescent Religiosity and Psychosocial Functioning: Investigating the Roles of Religious Tradition, National-Ethnic. Child Development Research, 2013, ID814059, 13 pages.
Wagener, L.M., Furrow, J., L., King, P., E., Leffert,N., Benson, P. (2003). Religious involvement and developmental resources in youth. Review of Religious Research, 44, 271-284.
Walker, C., Ainette, M., G., Wills, T., A., Mendoza, D. (2007). Religiosity and substance use: test of an indirect-effect model in early and middle adolescence. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 21, 84-96.
Wallace, L., H., Moak, S., C., Moore, N., T. (2005). Religion as an insulator of delinquency in schools. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 29, 217-233.
Wallace, J., M., & Forman, T., A. (1998). Religion’s role in promoting health and reducing risk among American youth. Health Education & Behavior, 25, 721-741.
Wells G., M. (2010). The Effect of Religiosity and Campus Alcohol Culture on Collegiate Alcohol Consumption. Journal of American College Health, 58, 295-304.
Wills, T., A., Yaeger, A., M., Sandy, J., M. (2003). Buffering Effect of Religiosity for Adolescent Substance Use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors,17, 24-31.
Zhang, J., & Jin, S. (1996). Determinants of suicide ideation: A comparison of Chinese and American college students. Adolescence, 31, 451-467.
