E. Wilbur Bock

Religiosity and alcohol behavior: An exploration of reference group theory

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and alcohol use and perceived misuse. Unlike most past research, we focus on adults rather than adolescents and distinguish among specific Protestant denominations. We also use a more appropriate statistical technique and place the findings in a theoretical context. The analysis shows that religiosity is clearly related to alcohol use, mainly because peoples religion serves as a reference group influencing their behavior. The analysis also shows that religiosity is not related to perceived misuse of alcohol, mainly because societal norms are congruent with religious norms and, hence, appear to overwhelm any effect of religion.

Suicide among the Elderly: Isolating Widowhood and Mitigating Alternatives

Although the associati i between widowhood status and suicide has been well documented, the conditions which modify this relationship have not been extensively investigated. The present study of elderly persons uses information obtained from two sources: (1) a representative sample of the aged in Pinellas County, Florida, in 1959; and (2) persons aged 65 and over who committed suicide in that county between 1955 and 1963. The major findings are (1) the widowed exhibit higher suicide rates than the married; (2) this differential is partially explained by the greater social isolation of the widowed, particularly the widowers; (3) the widowed can find in other types of relationships meaningful alternatives to marriage which help prevent suicidal behavior; (4) widowers have greater difficulty than widows in making effective substitutions for the loss of spouse; and (5) there appear to be limits to the effective mitigation of these alternatives for the widowed, especially the widower. These findings, interpreted in terms of cultural expectations and sex-role definitions, suggest the fruitfulness of further research on other types of functional alternatives for the widowed. Programs for suicide prevention among the elderly should give special attention to the precarious position of the aged widower.

Religious Change and Alcohol Use: An Application of Reference Group and Socialization Theory

This paper illustrates how religiosity influences behavior in everyday life by investigating the link between religious change and alcohol consumption. Reference group and socialization theory provide theoretical grounds for understanding this relationship.

The Influence of Religious Stability and Homogamy on the Relationship between Religiosity and Alcohol Use among Protestants

The influence of religion on alcohol use is now a well-studied phenomenon. Past research has shown that religiosity is inversely related to use, and that the strength of this relationship varies across faith groups in a manner consistent with their theological postures. In this study, we have extended the examination of the effect of faith groups on alcohol use by looking at the joint influence of religious stability and homogamy. Using data from the NORC General Social Surveys, we found that t,he strength of the religiosity-alcohol use relationship varies predictably across childhood religion, respondents current affiliation, and spouses current affiliation.