Examining the relationships between religiosity and E-cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking among college students in Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Alcohol and e-cigarette use are prevalent among college students in Vietnam. Due to the negative impact that both can have on health and academic performance, these trends are concerning. While previous research has supported the role that religiosity may serve as a protective factor against substance use in many studies, there continues to be limited information on the relationship between religiosity and substance use among the Vietnamese population. The current study aims to expand research findings examining the relationships between religiosity characterized by Buddhism and alcohol drinking and e-cigarette smoking among college students in Vietnam, controlling for age, sex, and peer substance use. Two binary logistic regression analyses were conducted, using a sample of 263 college students aged between 18 to 24 from a private university in a large city in the country. The findings of the study suggested that religiosity characterized by Buddhism had no deterrent impact on e-cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking among the sample, which is in contrast with the current research findings based on Judeo-Christian and Muslim religions. Possible explanations and implications for social work practice in Vietnam are discussed.