Religiosity as a Protective Factor Against Substance Use Among Hungarian High School Students

Abstract

Gender differences in the relationship between religiosity and substance use (lifetime prevalence and current use) were examined among high school students in Szeged, Hungary (N = 881). Experimenting with and consuming tobacco and alcoholic beverages were characteristic in the sample to a great extent, whereas marijuana use was not as frequent. Logistic regression analyses were employed to test how variables of religiosity, that is, denominational affiliation, religiosity, and religious attendance, were related to substance use of youth by gender. Our findings confirmed the importance of the protective role of religious involvement, particularly among females.

RÉSUMÉ

La religion comme facteur protecteur contre l'utilisation de substances parmi des lycéens hongrois.

Dans la présente recherche, les différences entre les sexes dans la relation entre la religion et la toxicomanie (prévalence sur la vie et l'usage actuel) parmi les élèves du secondaire ont été examinés à Szeged, en Hongrie (N = 881). La consommation de tabac et de boissons alcoolisées est caractéristique de l’échantillon dans une grande mesure, alors que la consommation de marijuana n'a pas été aussi fréquente. Des analyses de régression logistique ont été utilisées pour tester la façon dont les variables de la religion, c'est-à-dire l'affiliation confessionnelle, la religiosité, et la pratique religieuse ont été liés à la toxicomanie des jeunes selon le sexe. Nos résultats ont confirmé l'importance du rôle protecteur de l'engagement religieux particulier chez les filles.

Mots-clés adolescence, la consommation de substances, les facteurs de protection, la religiosité

RESUMEN

La religiosidad como un factor protector contra el uso de sustancias entre estudiantes de secundaria de Hungría.

En la presente investigación, las diferencias de género entre religiosidad y el uso de substancias (tanto la prevalencia a largo plazo y uso actual) entre los estudiantes de secundaria fueron examinados en Szeged, Hungría (N = 881). Experimentar con el consumo de tabaco y las bebidas alcohólicas fueron características de la muestra en gran medida, mientras que el consumo de marihuana no fue tan frecuente. Análisis de regresiones logísticas se utilizaron para probar cómo las variables de la religiosidad, es decir, la afiliación confesional, religiosidad, y asistencia religiosa se relacionaron con el uso de sustancias por parte de los jóvenes clasificando los resultados entre hombres y mujeres. Nuestros hallazgos confirman la importancia de la función protectora de la participación religiosa particularmente entre las mujeres.

Palabras clave adolescencia, consumo de sustancias, factores de protección, religiosidad

Keywords :

• adolescence
• substance use
• protective factors
• religiosity

THE AUTHORS

Eszter Kovács, M.S. in Sociology from the University of Szeged, is studying for her Ph.D. at the Semmelweis University, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. She deals with topics such as problem behavior of young people regarding social support, religiosity, and attitudes toward family life during adolescence. She also holds a membership with ESA, ISSA, and IAWMH.

Bettina Franciska Piko, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of the Behavioral Sciences and Public Health at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Center, University of Szeged, Hungary. Her research fields include adolescent problem behavior, risk and protective factors, social relationships, social support, coping and health, substance use among the youth, social inequalities in health, and psychological aspects of the post-socialist transition. She is also a member of the STAR, EHPS, ESA, ESHMS, EUPHA, and NETT.

Kevin Michael Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., is a Professor of Sociology & Jones Chair in Community at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Director of the Community and Family Institute. His work continues to examine the homeless, low-income minorities, and the mental health and well-being of at-risk adolescents.

Notes

2 The reader is referred to Hillss’ (1965) criteria for causality which were developed in order to help assist researchers and clinicians determine if risk factors were causes of a particular disease or outcomes or merely associated. Editor's note.