Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 3/2013

01-09-2013 | Original paper

Religiosity, Alcohol Use, and Sex Behaviors Among College Student-Athletes

Authors: Erin W. Moore, Jannette Y. Berkley-Patton, Starlyn M. Hawes

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

College student-athletes tend to consume more alcohol, engage in sex, and report more sex partners than nonathlete students. The current study examined the relationship between religiosity (e.g., influence of religious beliefs and church attendance) and alcohol use and sex behavior among college student-athletes. Most of the student-athletes (n = 83) were religious. Influence of religious beliefs was a significant predictor of less alcohol use and less sexual activity (i.e., oral and vaginal sex, number of sex partners). However, increased church attendance was not found to be a protective factor. Findings suggest that religious beliefs may contribute to reduction of alcohol use and sexual risk among college student-athletes. Consideration should be given to incorporating religiosity aspects in sexual and alcohol risk-reduction interventions for student-athletes.
Literature
go back to reference Cooper, M. L. (2002). Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: Evaluating the evidence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Suppl. 14, 101–117. Cooper, M. L. (2002). Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among college students and youth: Evaluating the evidence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Suppl. 14, 101–117.
go back to reference Davidson, J., Sr., Moore, N., & Ullstrup, K. (2004). Religiosity and sexual responsibility: Relationships of choice. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28, 335–346.PubMedCrossRef Davidson, J., Sr., Moore, N., & Ullstrup, K. (2004). Religiosity and sexual responsibility: Relationships of choice. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28, 335–346.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Dowdall, G., Lee, H., Kuo, M., & Wechsler, H. (2000). Environmental correlates of underage alcohol use and related problems of college students. Journal of Preventive Medicine, 19, 24–29.CrossRef Dowdall, G., Lee, H., Kuo, M., & Wechsler, H. (2000). Environmental correlates of underage alcohol use and related problems of college students. Journal of Preventive Medicine, 19, 24–29.CrossRef
go back to reference Ginn, S., Walker, K., Poulson, R., Singletary, S., Cyrus, V., & Picarelli, J. (1998). Coercive sexual behavior and the influence of alcohol consumption and religiosity among college students in the bible belt. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 13, 151–165. Ginn, S., Walker, K., Poulson, R., Singletary, S., Cyrus, V., & Picarelli, J. (1998). Coercive sexual behavior and the influence of alcohol consumption and religiosity among college students in the bible belt. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 13, 151–165.
go back to reference Grossbard, J., Lee, C., Neighbors, C., Hendershot, C., & Larimer, M. (2007). Alcohol and risky sex in athletes and nonathletes: What roles do sex motives play? Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 566–574.PubMed Grossbard, J., Lee, C., Neighbors, C., Hendershot, C., & Larimer, M. (2007). Alcohol and risky sex in athletes and nonathletes: What roles do sex motives play? Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 566–574.PubMed
go back to reference Hildebrand, K., Johnson, D., & Bogle, K. (2001). Comparison of patterns of alcohol use between high school and college athletes and nonathletes. College Student Journal, 35, 358–365. Hildebrand, K., Johnson, D., & Bogle, K. (2001). Comparison of patterns of alcohol use between high school and college athletes and nonathletes. College Student Journal, 35, 358–365.
go back to reference Hingson, R. W., Heeren, T., Zakocs, R. C., Kopstein, A., & Wechsler, H. (2002). Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18–24. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63(2), 136–144.PubMed Hingson, R. W., Heeren, T., Zakocs, R. C., Kopstein, A., & Wechsler, H. (2002). Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18–24. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 63(2), 136–144.PubMed
go back to reference Lynch, J., Mowrey, R., Nesbitt, G., & O’Neill, D. (2004). Risky business: Misperceived norms of sexual behavior among college students. NASPA Journal, 42, 21–35. Lynch, J., Mowrey, R., Nesbitt, G., & O’Neill, D. (2004). Risky business: Misperceived norms of sexual behavior among college students. NASPA Journal, 42, 21–35.
go back to reference Murray, K. M., Ciarrocchi, J. W., & Murray-Swank, N. A. (2007). Spirituality, religiosity, shame and guilt as predictors of sexual attitudes and experiences. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35, 222–234. Murray, K. M., Ciarrocchi, J. W., & Murray-Swank, N. A. (2007). Spirituality, religiosity, shame and guilt as predictors of sexual attitudes and experiences. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35, 222–234.
go back to reference Patock-Peckham, J. A., Hutchinson, G. T., Cheong, J., & Nagoshi, C. T. (1998). Effect of religion and religiosity on alcohol use in a college student sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 49, 81–88.PubMedCrossRef Patock-Peckham, J. A., Hutchinson, G. T., Cheong, J., & Nagoshi, C. T. (1998). Effect of religion and religiosity on alcohol use in a college student sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 49, 81–88.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Poulson, R. L., Bradshaw, S. D., Huff, J. M., Peebles, L. L., & Hilton, D. B. (2008). Risky sex behaviors among African American college students: The influence of alcohol, marijuana, and religiosity. North American Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 529–542. Poulson, R. L., Bradshaw, S. D., Huff, J. M., Peebles, L. L., & Hilton, D. B. (2008). Risky sex behaviors among African American college students: The influence of alcohol, marijuana, and religiosity. North American Journal of Psychology, 10(3), 529–542.
go back to reference Roberts, S., & Kennedy, B. (2006). Why are young college women not using condoms? Their perceived risk, drug use, and developmental vulnerability may provide important clues to sexual risk. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 20, 32–40. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2005.08.008.PubMedCrossRef Roberts, S., & Kennedy, B. (2006). Why are young college women not using condoms? Their perceived risk, drug use, and developmental vulnerability may provide important clues to sexual risk. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 20, 32–40. doi:10.​1016/​j.​apnu.​2005.​08.​008.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Storch, E., Roberti, J., Bravata, E., & Storch, J. (2004). Strength of religious faith: A comparison of intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes. Pastoral Psychology, 52, 485–489.CrossRef Storch, E., Roberti, J., Bravata, E., & Storch, J. (2004). Strength of religious faith: A comparison of intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes. Pastoral Psychology, 52, 485–489.CrossRef
go back to reference Storch, E., Storch, J., Kolsky, A., & Silvestri, S. (2001). Religiosity of elite athletes. The Sports Psychologist, 15, 346–351. Storch, E., Storch, J., Kolsky, A., & Silvestri, S. (2001). Religiosity of elite athletes. The Sports Psychologist, 15, 346–351.
go back to reference Storch, E., Storch, J., Kovacs, A., Okun, A., & Welsh, E. (2003). Intrinsic religiosity and substance use in intercollegiate athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 25, 248–252. Storch, E., Storch, J., Kovacs, A., Okun, A., & Welsh, E. (2003). Intrinsic religiosity and substance use in intercollegiate athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 25, 248–252.
Metadata
Title
Religiosity, Alcohol Use, and Sex Behaviors Among College Student-Athletes
Authors
Erin W. Moore
Jannette Y. Berkley-Patton
Starlyn M. Hawes
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9543-z

Other articles of this Issue 3/2013

Journal of Religion and Health 3/2013 Go to the issue

Editorial

Editorial

Psychological Exploration

Anointing 9/11