Author Date

2022-03-15

Degree Name

Department

Psychology

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2022-03-11

Publication Date

2022-03-16

First Faculty Advisor

Sam Hardy

First Faculty Reader

Brian Willoughby

Honors Coordinator

Bruce Brown

Keywords

Adolescents, Religiousness, Morality, Risky Behaviors, Mediation

Abstract

There is a lot of existing research on religiousness in adolescents and risky behaviors such as sex alcohol. However, one understudied aspect of it is why the connection. Very few studies have explored this area, and a mediation model may aid in that research. For this study, a sample size of 364 adolescents ages 14-18 were surveyed (M = 15.64). Some mediations models have been attempted which suggests that it should be successful. In this study, a mediation model is used to explore the relationship between religiousness and risky behaviors in adolescents mediated by conservative attitudes. After finding significant results, the present study presents evidence that suggests future research be done in this area to better understand the connection between religiousness and risky behavior in adolescents via conservative attitudes.