Date of Award

Summer 2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

James M. Henson

Committee Member

Elaine M. Justice

Committee Member

Robin J. Lewis

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65 C656 2008

Abstract

This research examined the relationships among religiosity, spirituality, sexual attitudes, and the sexual behavior of college students. Research has shown correlations among religiosity, spirituality and sexual attitudes (e.g., Chilman, 1983; Werner-Wilson & Jay, 1998; Zelnik & Shah, 1981), religiosity, spirituality and sexual behavior (e.g. Scott, Munson, McMillen, & Ollie, 2006; Thornton & Cambum, 1989), and among sexual attitudes and sexual behavior (e.g. Buss & Barnes, 1986; Hendrick et al., 1985). However, the role that sexual attitudes may play as a mediator between the constructs ofreligiosity, spirituality, and sexual behaviors had yet to be examined. Fishbein and Ajzen's (1980) theory of reasoned action explains voluntary behavior through attitudes, subjective norms, and behavior intentions, and was included to establish incremental validity. Two hundred and thirty undergraduates at Old Dominion University were recruited through the departmental, undergraduate participant pool, and voluntarily participated for course credit. Sexual attitude was found to partially mediate the relationship between spirituality and sexual behavior while sexual permissiveness exhibited complete mediation. Religiosity was not significantly related to sexual experience. Sexual norms and sexual attitudes predicted sexual behavior, but religiosity and spirituality provided no additional predictive value.

DOI

10.25777/asnt-g138

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS