Religion, Self Control, and Substance Use

Previous research has examined a number of mechanisms through which religion might have an indirect influence on substance use. One potential intervening mechanism that has received little empirical attention is self control. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) we (1) examine the association between religion and self control, (2) determine if self control mediates the effect of religiosity on substance use, and (3) determine if the effect of self control on substance use varies depending on adolescents’ religiosity. The results suggest that religious youth exhibit higher levels of self control. Also, self control partially mediates the effect of adolescents’ religiosity on marijuana use and drinking andvsmoking(31). The only evidence we find for an interaction between self control and religiosity suggests self control has a moderately greater effect on alcohol use among those of low, rather than medium or high, religiosity. Although Gottfredson and Hirchi’s (1990) work has reinvigorated the concept, serious interest in self control among criminologists extends at least back to the 1950s (see the review by Hay 2001). For example, Walter Reckless (1967) emphasizes not only ‘‘outer containment’’ but ‘‘inner containment,’’ which he identifies with individuals’ moral consciences along with the strength of their self concepts. Albert Reiss (1951) speaks of ‘‘personal controls’’ and Ivan Nye (1958) emphasizes ‘‘internalized control.’’ In addition, a substantial psychological literature