NCJ Number
169986
Date Published
1984
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study sought to refine and extend understanding of the relationship between self-reported religiosity and drug use by students at a small private college in New Jersey.
Abstract
The study explored links between self-reported religiosity and current drug use, between self-reported religiosity and reasons for abstaining from particular drugs, between self- reported religiosity and acceptable referral sources for drug problems, and between self-reported religiosity and persons with whom students discussed their attitudes toward drugs. Of a sample of 1,000 randomly selected college students, 379 completed and returned anonymous surveys. Of the 379 college students, 53 percent were female and 47 percent were male. The questionnaire explored selected demographic characteristics of subjects, the nature and incidence of drug use, and attitudes toward drug use. Results showed self-reported religiosity was significantly related to the current incidence of alcohol and marijuana use; reasons for abstaining from marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens; referral of drug problems to friends; and discussing drug attitudes with parents and college counselors. Frequent drug users reported a deepening of religious feelings. While some frequent drug users saw themselves as deeply religious, most students said they were deeply religious were not frequent drug users. Parental influence was significantly related to drug abstinence of religious students. Generalized drug education and steps by adult society to lessen student fear of bringing drug questions and problems to adults are recommended. 12 references and 4 tables