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Research Note on the Association Between Religion and Delinquency

NCJ Number
171701
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1995) Pages: 169-175
Author(s)
R M Fernquist
Date Published
1995
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examines the association between religiosity and both victimless and victim types of delinquency.
Abstract
The study attempted to determine whether religiosity was associated with both types of delinquency for 178 college-aged persons residing in a conservative religious environment. For victimless types of delinquency, students were asked the frequency of cigarette smoking, marijuana smoking, and getting drunk on alcohol during their lifetime. For victim types of delinquency, the students were asked the frequency of breaking into a home or building, and stealing something worth more than $20 during their lifetime. For measures of religiosity, they were asked the frequency of prayer and church attendance during their lifetime. For victimless delinquency, the strongest association came from perceived peer relations, whereas for victim delinquency, gender had the strongest association. Religiosity was negatively associated with both victim and victimless delinquency, although this association was noticeably weaker for victim delinquency. Note, tables, references