Spirituality and social support on health behaviors of african american undergraduates.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of spirituality and perceived social support as protective factors for preventing health-compromising behaviors among African American college students.


METHODS
Two hundred eleven African American college students completed a spirituality, perceived social support, and health behavior questionnaire.


RESULTS
Low spiritual well-being significantly increased the odds of smoking and alcohol use. Low perceived parental support increased the odds of alcohol use whereas low perceived support from friends decreased the odds of alcohol use.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirituality and perceived social support may serve as protective factors for smoking and alcohol use among African American college students.
Turner-Musa
Jocelyn
J
Morgan State University, Department of Psychology, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA. jturnerm@morgan.edu
Lipscomb
La'Shaunna
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American