Attitudes Toward Sexual Abstinence Among Black Seventh-Day Adventist College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify Black Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) college students’ attitudes toward the concept of sexual abstinence. Attitude toward abstinence was operationalized as a dichotomy of acceptance or rejection of the concept as a way to order sexual behavior. The study utilized a convenience sample (N = 330) of unmarried Black students who were baptized SDAs or adherents to the religion. Participants attended a postsecondary Seventh-Day Adventist institution that supports the church's teaching concerning premarital sex by promoting premarital abstinence within the student body. Findings indicated that students with high levels of intrinsic religiousness were more likely to accept the concept of abstinence. Conversely, those with high extrinsic religiousness were more likely to reject this concept. Covariates, such as being female, having confidence in the ability to remain abstinent, and selecting peers who supported abstinence, predicted support for abstinence. Neither family structure nor education of parent or head of household significantly predicted attitude toward abstinence. Discussion focused on the need and challenge for Christian higher education institutions to incorporate programs to enhance intrinsic religiousness if they are to be successful in promoting sexual abstinence among young adults.