Exploring the Protective Effects of Judaism on Risky Behaviors in College Students: A Pilot Study

Background: Common risky behaviors among college-aged young adults include risky sexual behaviors and substance use. Purpose: This study examines the protective effects of Judaismon students' engagement in risky behaviors, building on a body of research on the protective effects of religious beliefs on risky health behaviors. Methods: Validated and reliable measures were used to assess religiosity and risky behaviors through anonymous surveys. Data was collected in Fall 2018 from a small cohort (N=15) of Jewish day school students. Results: Females had overall higher rates of risky behaviors such as drinking or using drugs before sex (27% compared to 13% for males), not using condoms (62% to 0% for males), and higher rates of binge drinking (62% to 20% for males). Conclusion: Higher religiosity was more associated with delayed sexual activity than substance use behaviors. Judaism and religiosity were more strongly associated with the male participants than the female. Practice implications: Since the participants still had low rates of condom use and other high risk behaviors despite speaking with their healthcare providers, the health care community must better educate adolescents and young adults on the health and social consequences of such risky activities, both in formal education programs during middle and high school, and in office visits. (c) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.