The study of the effects of religiosity on adolescent alcohol and drug use and alcohol-related problems, 2007
Wallace, RIcky Reanell
2000-2009
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of religiosity as a central feature on juvenile delinquents, ages 12-17, who are chronically involved with drugs and alcohol. An estimated 400,000 adolescents sought treatment for substance abuse, which does not include those who failed to come to the attention of parents, school officials, treatment providers, or researchers (Adger, 1991). It is hypothesized that religiosity will have minima] statistical significance in the lives of substance abuse adolescents. Secondly, a positive relationship between several dimensions of parental and family religiosity is also predictive of adolescent substance use. Thirdly, a positive relationship exist between religiosity and violation of social norms and laws. Its findings suggest that despite drug abusing adolescents delusional ways of thinking about the world, they continue to embrace a sense of hope that something other than themselves [God, Allah, Buddha] can help them re-establish an intrinsic sense of equilibrium in their lives. Relationships with religious oriented friends as role models is found to have had a 1 protective impact on juvenile adolescents who are involved with substance use in this study. This study further highlights the need for more empirical-based treatment strategies in working with this target population that incorporates religiosity as a intervention strategy. Key Terms: Religiosity- supernatural power or spirit [God, Buddha, or Allah] who is the center of the universe and controls all natural and living organisms. Spirituality- innate feeling of connectiveness to something greater than oneself that invokes a sense of serenity and peace of mind.
text
application/pdf
2007-05-01
dissertation
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Clark Atlanta University
School of Social Work
Waymer, Robert
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2007_wallace_ricky_r
