| The present study aimed to contribute to the body of literature examining religiosity and spirituality as distinct constructs (e.g., Piedmont, Ciarrochi, Dy-Liacco, & Williams, 2009). Whereas a large body of evidence has indicated that religiosity is a protective factor against risky sexual behavior (e.g., Mahoney, 1980; Zaleski & Schiaffino, 2000), a smaller number of studies have suggested that spirituality may be a risk factor for sexual behavior (Burris, Smith, & Carlson, 2009). Specifically, this study examined the association of religiosity and spirituality with risky sexual behavior, as defined by: (a) frequency of sex, (b) number of sexual partners, and (c) condom use (Beadnell et al., 2005). In addition, the study examined whether the association between spirituality on risky sexual behavior was mediated by intimacy motives (Cooper, Shapiro, & Powers, 1998). Gender effects were also examined in an exploratory fashion.;Two hundred and seven (72% female) undergraduate (89%) and graduate non-virgin students were surveyed using a computerized data collection method. Structural equation models were used to test the hypotheses, revealing that risky sexual behavior was a poor outcome variable. As a result, each of the three risky sex components were utilized as single outcome variables in three additional models. Findings only partially supported the proposed hypotheses. Religiosity was discovered to be significantly associated with frequency of sex and condom use among males only. Intimacy motives were only significantly associated with and predictive of female condom use. Intimacy motives were not found to be mediators of spirituality on any of the outcome variables. The findings of this study have important implications for intervention and prevention programs aimed at preventing risky sexual behavior among college students. |
