Citation

Scharer JL. Ment. Health Relig. Cult. 2017; 20(2): 188-201.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13674676.2017.1334044

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Peer influence has been shown to be an important factor in college student alcohol use. One facet of peer influence, perceived descriptive norms, constitutes a strong and consistent predictor of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Previous research has also found that various aspects of individuals' religious beliefs are negatively associated with alcohol use. Religious fundamentalism, a construct that has not previously been examined in relation to alcohol use, may be especially pertinent and may protect against the impact of peer influences such as descriptive drinking norms. The present study examined whether the impact of descriptive norms on alcohol consumption and problems is moderated by religious fundamentalism. Participants were undergraduate college students (N = 449).

FINDINGS suggest that the influence of descriptive norms on alcohol consumption was decreased as a function of religious fundamentalism, but that religious fundamentalism did not influence the impact of descriptive norms on alcohol problems.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol; drinking; Religion; social norms