The prevalence of addiction in society has called researchers, educators, policy makers, and clinicians to examine and research causes and treatment approaches to address the manifold problems addictions present individuals and society alike. There are many theoretical approaches to understanding addiction and the behavior change processes that lead from addiction to recovery. Religiosity and spirituality have been identified as important factors in addiction, though the exact nature of the relationship is yet to be determined. This dissertation explores the relationship between religiosity and the known treatment outcome mediator. The purpose of this dissertation is to inform theory, training, and practice in the area of addictions counseling. This exploratory study investigated the relationship of religiosity to readiness to change in addictive behaviors. The database from Project MATCH was used which included participant scores from the aftercare arm of the clinical trial. A total of 772 scores were used from responses to the RBB and URICA. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that there were no significant differences detected across variables regarding the relationship of religiosity to readiness to change. / Graduation date: 2003

The purposes of this study were to examine the prevalence of current substance use and early risk indicators for substance abuse and dependence, and to investigate the relationships among religiousness, current substance use, and early risk indicators among nursing students at seven Seventh-day Adventist colleges. Data for this descriptive study were collected through Efinger's Alcohol Risk Survey (EARS) (Efinger, 1984), the CAGE Questionnaire ( Ewing , 1984), and the Intrinsic/Extrinsic-Revised Scale (Gorsuch & McPherson, 1989). Participants were 241 nursing students enrolled in their first year of nursing courses at seven colleges and universities located across the United States . Findings indicated that 42% of students scored higher than the EARS mean; 24% reported current substance use; and 15% scored in the probable abuse/dependence category of CAGE. Students who reported current substance use and those scoring in the probable substance abuse/dependence category were significantly more likely to score above the EARS median. Intrinsic religiousness demonstrated a significant inverse relationship with current substance use. Significantly lower rates of current substance use were associated with higher rates of attendance at religious services. Respondents who indicated that their religion prohibited alcohol consumption reported significantly lower rates of current substance use than those who answered "No" or "I don't know" to their religion's prohibition of alcohol consumption. A substantial number of nursing students were found to have high numbers of early risk indicators for substance abuse and dependence that warrant intervention. The majority of students who scored in the probable substance abuse/dependence category also had higher EARS scores, thereby increasing their risk for substance impairment. Religious variables appear to have had a mediating influence on current substance use with this sample. Prevention programs should be aimed at risks that are modifiable, thus enabling students to make healthy decisions about using substances.

Health communication has gained worldwide recognition as one of the most effective methods for tackling global health challenges; a conclusion that is supported by a range of studies showing generally positive results. Literature in the field has tended to focus on one of two perspectives: either individual behaviour change or a cultural/critical approach. This dissertation, which falls into the latter category, extends previous work on health communication and culture into a new context, namely Saudi Arabia. The thesis is motivated by two main research questions. First, how has culture influenced health communication in Saudi Arabia specifically in initiatives against illicit drug use and alcohol abuse? Second, how has this communication developed? At the heart of this study is the role of Saudi culture in health communication in an increasingly interdependent and connected world. The dissertation makes use of mixed qualitative data collection methods. Principally, it utilised semi-structured interviews with key officials and focus groups with young Saudis and health promoters in Saudi Arabia as well as attendance at and observation of health-communication events and permanent exhibitions as a subordinate method. The study reveals promising findings supporting the growing scholarly interest in the cultural dimension of health communication. It concludes that the key influence of the Saudi culture on health communication against substance abuse is Islamic beliefs about health, in particular those about substance abuse. These beliefs created a rejection of illicit drug abuse in Saudi society, thereby shaping a supportive environment for promotion activities against risky health behaviour. In addition, Islamic influence inspired the related regulations and laws in the kingdom. Islamic and local influences exert a powerful influence on the practical side of health communication in Saudi Arabia, including the content of messages, the appeal used to attract the specific audience, and the communication channels used to promote the campaigns. The study engages with four concepts constituting the Islamic model of health and illicit drug abuse: prohibition (haram), promotion (Da’wah), repentance and inclusiveness (Tawbah), and treatment and rehabilitation (Elaj). The study also examines controversial issues about health communication in the country, such as the predominance of top-down communication, the absence of participatory communication and cultural diversity. In short, a lack of innovation and creativity in delivering health communication messages. The study illustrates the major role the Saudi government has played in communicating health and substance abuse since the 1980s, when officials realised the need to modernise the means of communicating health and drug issues from mosque-based only to include modern methods such as televised campaigns, school-based programmes and hospital-based health education. Since then, government-led health communication initiatives have been well established in the kingdom. The dissertation is able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the reality of health communication against substance abuse in Saudi Arabia and make a range of recommendations to improve the efficacy of current policies and suggest new avenues for future research.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of peer, community and religious influences on alcohol and tobacco use among high school adolescents from three different dominant groups of South Africa i.e. African, coloured and white adolescents. The investigations were based on two perceived major factors such as their familiy structure and their family's socio-economic status, which may either increase or decrease the likelihood of adolescent substance use.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of peer, community and religious influences on alcohol and tobacco use among high school adolescents from three different dominant groups of South Africa i.e. African, coloured and white adolescents. The investigations were based on two perceived major factors such as their familiy structure and their family's socio-economic status, which may either increase or decrease the likelihood of adolescent substance use.

Magister Artium - MA / The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of peer, community and religious influences on alcohol and tobacco use among high school adolescents from three different dominant groups of South Africa i.e. African, coloured and white adolescents. The investigations were based on two perceived major factors such as their familiy structure and their family's socio-economic status, which may either increase or decrease the likelihood of adolescent substance use. / South Africa