Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Psychology

Date of Award

8-2019

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Andrea Clements

Committee Members

Jon Ellis, Stacey Williams

Abstract

Religiousness has been shown to have an inverse relationship with at least some types of addiction. The present study examined whether intrinsic religiousness predicts substance addiction and video game addiction in a sample of participants that included mostly undergraduate students from the Appalachian region, as well as some participants surveyed with the use of social media advertisements. Intrinsic religiousness has been defined as internalizing the tenets of one’s faith. Participants self-reported their religiousness using the Religious Surrender and Attendance Scale – 3 (RSAS-3), which has been shown to measure intrinsic religiousness. Religiousness as measured by the RSAS-3 predicted lower levels of substance use addiction. Statistical significance was not found for the relationship between religiousness and video game addiction. The present study extends findings regarding religiousness and addiction but future research should also take into account different theological and denominational beliefs and commitments related to health outcomes.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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