Explaining the relationship between religiousness and substance use: Self-control matters.

DeWall, C. Nathan; Pond, Richard S.; Carter, Evan C.; McCullough, Michael E.; Lambert, Nathaniel M.; Fincham, Frank D.; Nezlek, John B.

doi:10.1037/a0036853

Cited by 68Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologySubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesBehavioral Health and Interventions

Explaining the relationship between religiousness and substance use: Self-control matters.

DeWall, C. Nathan, Pond, Richard S., Carter, Evan C., McCullough, Michael E., Lambert, Nathaniel M., Fincham, Frank D., Nezlek, John B.·2014·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

DOI 10.1037/a0036853

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Abstract

Religiousness is reliably associated with lower substance use, but little research has examined whether self-control helps explain why religiousness predicts lower substance use. Building on prior theoretical work, our studies suggest that self-control mediates the relationship between religiousness and a variety of substance-use behaviors. Study 1 showed that daily prayer predicted lower alcohol use on subsequent days. In Study 2, religiousness related to lower alcohol use, which was mediated by self-control. Study 3 replicated this mediational pattern using a behavioral measure of self-control. Using a longitudinal design, Study 4 revealed that self-control mediated the relationship between religiousness and lower alcohol use 6 weeks later. Study 5 replicated this mediational pattern again and showed that it remained significant after controlling for trait mindfulness. Studies 6 and 7 replicated and extended these effects to both alcohol and various forms of drug use among community and cross-cultural adult samples. These findings offer novel evidence regarding the role of self-control in explaining why religiousness is associated with lower substance use.

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A few experimental studies demonstrate a possible causal relationship between RS and changes in substance use.
“A few experimental studies even demonstrate a possible causal relationship between RS and changes in substance use (e.g., DeWall et al., 2014).”
From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as DeWall et al., 2014
There is intriguing evidence of a causal relationship between RS and substance use whereby increases in RS predict decreased substance abuse.
“There is intriguing evidence of a causal relationship between RS and substance use whereby increases in RS predict decreased substance abuse.”
From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as DeWall et al., 2014

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Authors: DeWall, C. N., Pond, R. S., Carter, E. C., McCullough, M. E., Lambert, N. M., Fincham, F. D., & Nezlek, J. B.
Affiliations: University of Kentucky (US)
University of North Carolina Wilmington (US)
University of Miami (US)
Brigham Young University (US)
Florida State University (US)
William & Mary (US)
ORCID: DeWall, C. Nathan
Pond, Richard S.
McCullough, Michael E.
Fincham, Frank D.
Nezlek, John B.
Venue: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2014-08
Volume: 107
Issue: 2
Pages: 339-351
ISSN: 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
1939-1315
DOI: 10.1037/a0036853
OpenAlex: W2123563444
Cited by: 68
References: 97
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 4
FWCI: 8.06
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Keywords: religiosity, substance use, self-control, alcohol consumption, drug use, daily prayers, mediation, trait mindfulness, cross-cultural comparison, community-dwelling adults
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Alcohol Drinking, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Religion, Religion and Psychology, Social Control, Informal, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult

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Explaining the relationship between religiousness and substance use: Self-control matters.

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