Why do religious young people behave less riskily? A psychologist explains

Researchers have long known that religious young individuals are less prone to get entangled dangerous behavior. My team's research explains why.

We surveyed the religious beliefs and risk behaviors of over 1,400 Florida teenagers multiple times between 2010 and 2012. Although nearly all of our sample self-identified as Christian, most of the teens reported belonging to other religious groups or not being religious.

Our work has focused on dangerous behaviors – akin to the usage of alcohol, drugs and tobacco – which are socially unacceptable, potentially harmful and sometimes illegal for young people.

What deters dangerous behavior?

We identified 4 conditions that may reduce dangerous behavior: low opportunities, attractiveness, acceptance, and high levels of self-control.

Let's take alcohol consumption for example. Teens are less prone to drink once they do there’s an absence of options or in the event that they find alcohol consumption unattractiveperhaps since the people they care about Consider drinking unfavorable. Teens are also less prone to drink alcohol in the event that they perceive it as alcohol morally unacceptable. Finally, teens are less prone to drink once they can control their impulses and resist temptation or Peer pressure.

These 4 conditions overlap. This can occur, for instance, through disapproval from peers each reduce the appeal and that moral acceptance the consumption of alcohol. In addition, circumstances akin to parental supervision that limit opportunities may express that the behavior is morally unacceptable or unattractive.

What religion offers

Although religions differ of their beliefs, all of them have commonalities that may impact the 4 conditions that discourage dangerous behavior.

First, all religions Offer people a worldviewThese are a set of beliefs that address questions akin to why people exist, how they need to behave, and what happens after they die.

Worldviews provide guidelines that may influence the desirability and moral acceptability of dangerous behavior. My research team found that religious teenagers – teenagers who express themselves stronger religious beliefs and more likely to interact in religious behavior – have a stronger one A way of purpose and a transparent understanding of what is true and what’s incorrect. These worldview advantages were also related to lower rates of smoking, drinking, and marijuana use.

Second, religions often revolve around belief in an omniscient entity or God who monitors behavior and may punish or reward. Faith in God, in turn, can promote Self-monitoring, self-control and ultimately less dangerous behavior.

Third, religions usually are not only a set of beliefs; They represent communities of people that can influence considering and behavior. You can restrict Opportunities to get entangled in dangerous behavior. You can communicate valuesB. the concept drinking alcohol is incorrect influences the attractiveness and moral acceptability of dangerous behavior. And they will bid Support and feelings of belonging This may help teens with impulse control.

What stays unknown

Most research on the consequences of faith on risk behavior examines Christians within the United States and Europe. We need more research from other cultures and other religions. It is noteworthy that our research suggests that the association between greater religiosity and fewer dangerous behavior is general The same applies to girls and boys and to all religious and racial groups.

Research suggests that a way of purpose and a transparent understanding of what is true and what’s incorrect are related to less dangerous behavior even amongst non-religious teenagers. Our interpretation is that a powerful worldview is more vital than the source of the worldview.

Furthermore, secular communities lack belief in an all-powerful God. But the larger point is monitoring and rewarding from authority figures can influence dangerous behavior. Secular communities may give you the option to cut back dangerous behavior amongst teenagers through increased monitoring and rewards and by adjusting other features of faith that appear to discourage dangerous behavior amongst religious youth.

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