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Thesis
RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT, SOCIAL SUPPORT, PERCEIVED NORMS, AND SEXUAL ATTITUDES IN THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF EMERGING ADULTS IN COLLEGE
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2010
Abstract
Significant but modest positive relationships between religiosity and more restrictive sexual behavior patterns have been found by prior researchers. Existing data have also suggested that a higher level of perceived social support is a protective factor against risky health behaviors, including sexual behaviors. Finally, literature has shown that normative perceptions play a role in predicting such behaviors. The current study examined perceived social support, perceived peer norms, and sexual attitudes as mediator variables in the relationship between religiosity and sexual behavior. Data were analyzed from a sample of 364 unmarried male and female undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 25. Results replicated past findings which showed that religiosity is modestly related to more restrictive sexual behavior patterns. However, analysis also revealed that this relationship was mediated by sexual attitudes. These findings suggest that religious commitment is modestly related to more restrictive sexual behavior through the mechanism of increased negative attitudes towards sexuality. Future research could strengthen this literature by exploring the impact of domain-specific social support and through the use of samples that include greater demographic diversity.
Details
- Title
- RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT, SOCIAL SUPPORT, PERCEIVED NORMS, AND SEXUAL ATTITUDES IN THE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR OF EMERGING ADULTS IN COLLEGE
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090738406600
- Academic Unit
- Psychology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida