The Relationship Between Religiosity and Sexual Misconduct

Abstract

This thesis presents the findings of three empirical studies which together examine relationships between religiosity and sexual misconduct. In the first study archival data from 111 incarcerated adult male sexual offenders were analysed for associations between self-reported religious affiliations and official offence histories. Four categories of religiosity were devised according to self-reported continuities and discontinuities in life-course religious affiliations: non-religious, dropouts, converts, and stayers. ANCOVAs indicated that "stayers" (those who maintained religious involvement from childhood to adulthood) had more sexual offence convictions, more victims, and younger victims, than the other groups. In contrast to the population of study one, all of whom had been convicted of sexual offences, the second study aimed to clarify whether there is also a link between religiosity and sexual misconduct within a population that has not been convicted of sexual offences. It also aimed to identify which aspects of religiosity relate to sexual misconduct. Extending the findings of the first study, study two examined associations between one aspect of religiosity, religious orientation, in conjunction with self-control, moral beliefs and self reported misconduct (including sexual misconduct) in 163 adult male university students. Participants were assigned to one of four religious orientation groups: extrinsic (n = 39); intrinsic (n = 25); indiscriminate (n = 36); and non-religious (n = 63). Participants with an intrinsic religious orientation reported higher self-control and stronger moral beliefs, and were less likely to engage in nonsexual, non-violent misconduct (illicit drug use, wilful damage and theft). Participants with an extrinsic religious orientation were found to have lower self-control and weaker moral beliefs, and were more likely to engage in sexual misconduct. Significant predictors of nonsexual misconduct were low self-control and weak moral beliefs. Significant predictors of sexual misconduct were low self-control and extrinsic religious orientation...