Potential Moderators of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Alcohol Use in College Students (2012)

Undergraduates: Jessica Bodford, none none none

Faculty Advisor: Andrea Hussong
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

---

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the conditions under which public religiosity (i.e., outwardly visible forms of religious involvement) does not protect against college-age drinking as effectively as private religiosity due to its social nature. Past research has found that religiosity is a significant deterrent of alcohol use across all age groups when measured as a composite of private and public manifestations; however, because adolescent drinking is closely tied to the social atmosphere inherent in college settings little research has examined emerging adult alcohol use in relation to public religiosity alone. Method: Underage students enrolled in a southeast public university (n = 230, 60% female) completed an online assessment of parent and peer relationships, alcohol use, and religiosity. Results: Analyses indicated that the significantly negative correlation between religiosity and alcohol use was distinctly moderated by a number of factors spanning social and religious domains. These moderating variables are discussed in further detail, as are possible explanations for their influence on college-age drinking. This study concludes with strengths and limitations in design and operationalization of constructs as well as directions for future research.