Can we consider religiousness as a protective factor against doping behavior in sport?

J Relig Health. 2009 Dec;48(4):445-53. doi: 10.1007/s10943-008-9207-9. Epub 2008 Sep 26.

Abstract

Religiousness is rarely studied in relation to doping behaviors in sport. In this study, we sampled 27 weightlifting/powerlifting athletes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using the originally developed questionnaire and by means of Spearman's correlation, we interpreted data and discussed relationships between (a) social, religious, sport, and educational factors, and (b) substance use criteria, including cigarettes, alcohol, analgesics, nutritional supplementation, and doping behaviors. In conclusion, we found (1) that religiousness can be considered as a potential protective factor against doping, but also (2) that religious subjects tend to deny and underestimate the doping behaviors in their sport. Both of these findings should be extensively studied in future investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Denial, Psychological
  • Doping in Sports / prevention & control*
  • Doping in Sports / psychology*
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Religion and Psychology
  • Resistance Training*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult