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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Learning Objective 1: Explain the impact that impulsivity contributes to college student risk behavior in the presence of religiosity.
Learning Objective 2: Describe potential appropriate prevention/ interventions for college students based on the results from the study.
In the United States, 71 percent of all deaths among persons aged 10 to 24 years are: automobile accidents, unintentional injuries, homicides, and suicides. Neuroimaging studies associate behaviors of reward-seeking and impulsivity as normative imbalances within the adolescent brain. Reward-seeking risk behaviors are associated with the earlier maturation of the limbic system and the slower maturation of the prefrontal cortex [PFC], not until the mid-twenties. An immature PFC is associated with impulsivity or failure to choose appropriate actions. Despite immature neurobiology, not all adolescents engage in risky behaviors; suggesting that there are inhibitory or protective factors deterring risk behaviors. Religiosity is known to influence adolescent attitudes and behaviors in positive and constructive ways. Sparse literature exists explaining the effects of religiosity on college students’ behavior and attitudes; since religiosity is originally influenced by parents. The aim of this cross-sectional correlational study is to determine the strength of associations between religiosity, impulsivity, and risk-taking propensity among a diverse sample of college students who live away from home (18-20 years; N = 80) from a public university in the southwestern United States. The participants will complete the Age-Universal Intrinsic-Extrinsic-12 Religiosity Scale, The Tower of Hanoi (computer-generated behavioral game measuring impulsive patterns of errors), and Balloon Analogue Risk Task (computer-generated balloon-pumping game measuring average number of pumps that did not explode balloons as index of risk-taking propensity). Chi-square tests will be performed on demographic variables to determine sampling effects. Multiple regression analyses will be performed to determine if impulsivity differentially mediated intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity’s independent effects on risk behavior. Separate regression analyses will be performed on religiosity scores and BART scores; plus TOH scores and BART scores. Study results have important prevention and intervention implications for parents and professionals who work with adolescents in academic, criminal justice, counseling, and health care settings.