Relationship Between Gender, Religiousity, & Sexual Beliefs to Sexual Activity

Abstract

This study focused on gender, religious activity, religious beliefs, and sexual beliefs and their association with sexual activity in college age students. Predicted outcomes were that religious activity and religious beliefs would have a stronger relation with sexual activity than either sexual beliefs or gender. Participants were 116 males and females enrolled at Oklahoma State University ranging from age 18 to 25, all were single and had never been married. Results showed that involvement in religious activities had a stronger relation with premarital sexual activity than either gender or sexual beliefs. Gender did not have a significant relationship in any model, which is contrary to most previous research. This may indicate that the differences between females and males in regards to sexual activity is diminishing. To have an impact, future studies should focus on actual religious beliefs or limit the participants to a specific religious background/belief.