Religiosity and Substance Use: The Moderating Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors' Affiliations

Mary Jo Hedrick, M.S., Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Chloe Salyer, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Chad Davis, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Kaia Salyers, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Andrea Clements, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Location

Culp Center Ballroom

Start Date

4-25-2023 9:00 AM

End Date

4-25-2023 11:00 AM

Poster Number

145

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Psychology

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Andrea Clements

Classification of First Author

Undergraduate Student

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Poster Presentation

Project's Category

Psychology

Abstract or Artist's Statement

The last few years have prompted empirical research about the COVID-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, the pandemic has influenced a multitude of psychological constructs, including religiosity and substance use (Harper et al., 2020). Research about the effects of COVID-19 on religiosity and substance has been repeatedly demonstrated in the literature (Buchtova et al., 2022; Mosaval et al., 2022; Baillargeon et al., 2020). Although previous research has found relationships between these variables, no research exists about the potential connection between religiosity, substance use, and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the purposes of this research study is to fill this existing gap in the literature.

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated substance use and its complex facets. Additionally, the pandemic has negatively impacted several dimensions of substance use worldwide, including recovery meetings and communities, treatment services, and the cognitive and emotional functions of those with SUD and those who provide services to people with SUD (Palacio-Gonzalez et al., 2022; Mellis et al., 2021; Radfar et al., 2021; DeJong et al., 2022). Mellis et al. (2021) found that after the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with a history of multiple SUDs reported more issues with telehealth and complications with accessing needed services. DeJong et al. (2021) highlighted the emotional aspects that people in recovery from SUD have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Substantial research regarding the negative relationship between religiosity and substance use exists. Religiosity is associated with a significant reduction in the rates of marijuana use, binge drinking, tobacco use, illicit drug use, and prescription drug use (Burdette et al., 2018; Edlund et al., 2010; Ford & Hill, 2012; Rivera et al., 2018). Johnson et al. (2008) found that negative beliefs about alcohol mediated the relationship between religious involvement and substance use. Additionally, the relationship between external religiosity and alcohol and tobacco use was moderated by internal religiosity, according to Marsiglia et al. (2011). These associations suggest that religiosity serves as a protective factor against substance use. Indeed, these findings are signified by Hai (2012) and Sartor et al. (2019), as they found that religiosity is a protective factor against marijuana and nicotine use.

In the current study, we aim to investigate the moderating effects of COVID-19 on the relationship between intrinsic religious commitment and substance use using a simple moderation model conducted in PROCESS Macro by Hayes (2018). The model of religious commitment negatively predicting substance use, moderated by whether or not COVID-19 was occurring, was statistically significant, F(3, 436) = 9.71, p >.001, ∆R2 = .0625. This indicates that religiosity negatively predicts substance use, and COVID-19 significantly moderated the relationship. With these findings in mind, we propose that during COVID-19, when substance use increased, religious commitment served as a protective factor against increased use during COVID-19.

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Apr 25th, 9:00 AM Apr 25th, 11:00 AM

Religiosity and Substance Use: The Moderating Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Culp Center Ballroom

The last few years have prompted empirical research about the COVID-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, the pandemic has influenced a multitude of psychological constructs, including religiosity and substance use (Harper et al., 2020). Research about the effects of COVID-19 on religiosity and substance has been repeatedly demonstrated in the literature (Buchtova et al., 2022; Mosaval et al., 2022; Baillargeon et al., 2020). Although previous research has found relationships between these variables, no research exists about the potential connection between religiosity, substance use, and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the purposes of this research study is to fill this existing gap in the literature.

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated substance use and its complex facets. Additionally, the pandemic has negatively impacted several dimensions of substance use worldwide, including recovery meetings and communities, treatment services, and the cognitive and emotional functions of those with SUD and those who provide services to people with SUD (Palacio-Gonzalez et al., 2022; Mellis et al., 2021; Radfar et al., 2021; DeJong et al., 2022). Mellis et al. (2021) found that after the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals with a history of multiple SUDs reported more issues with telehealth and complications with accessing needed services. DeJong et al. (2021) highlighted the emotional aspects that people in recovery from SUD have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Substantial research regarding the negative relationship between religiosity and substance use exists. Religiosity is associated with a significant reduction in the rates of marijuana use, binge drinking, tobacco use, illicit drug use, and prescription drug use (Burdette et al., 2018; Edlund et al., 2010; Ford & Hill, 2012; Rivera et al., 2018). Johnson et al. (2008) found that negative beliefs about alcohol mediated the relationship between religious involvement and substance use. Additionally, the relationship between external religiosity and alcohol and tobacco use was moderated by internal religiosity, according to Marsiglia et al. (2011). These associations suggest that religiosity serves as a protective factor against substance use. Indeed, these findings are signified by Hai (2012) and Sartor et al. (2019), as they found that religiosity is a protective factor against marijuana and nicotine use.

In the current study, we aim to investigate the moderating effects of COVID-19 on the relationship between intrinsic religious commitment and substance use using a simple moderation model conducted in PROCESS Macro by Hayes (2018). The model of religious commitment negatively predicting substance use, moderated by whether or not COVID-19 was occurring, was statistically significant, F(3, 436) = 9.71, p >.001, ∆R2 = .0625. This indicates that religiosity negatively predicts substance use, and COVID-19 significantly moderated the relationship. With these findings in mind, we propose that during COVID-19, when substance use increased, religious commitment served as a protective factor against increased use during COVID-19.