Examining the Antiascetic Hypothesis Through Social Control Theory: Delinquency, Religion, and Reciprocation Across the Early Life Course

Abstract

With empirical research in both sociology of religion and criminology finding conflicting evidence of the directional relationship between religious institutions and delinquency, we test the temporal order of religiosity and delinquency in the early life course. We motivate this research through theories from both subfields, namely, the antiascetic hypothesis from the sociology of religion and social control theory from criminology. We fit cross-lagged panel models to three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine the relationship between secular, or mala in se, forms of crime and ascetic, or mala prohibita, forms of crime with the elements of religious social bonds from adolescence through young adulthood. We find support for the antiascetic hypothesis in that religion has effects on mala prohibita behaviors, but not mala in se. Findings regarding bidirectional and reciprocal effects between religion and delinquency encourage extending the antiascetic hypothesis, as well as social control theory, to account for this possibility.

Religion as a Social Control: A Longitudinal Study of Religious Involvement and Substance Use

“…This study is limited in its ability to make a causal inference regarding the effect of religious involvement on substance use. Recent studies highlight important reciprocal effects and the necessity of considering reverse causality, or the impact of substance use on religious involvement (Hoffmann, 2014; Miller & Vuolo, 2018). Unfortunately, these studies only rely on a few waves of data.…”

“…From a theoretical standpoint, there is reason to consider that the influence of religion as an informal social control may depend on the substance considered and vary across several dimensions, including (a) age, (b) sex, and (c) race. In particular, religion may have a greater moral influence over minor legal transgressions, including the use of certain substances (Miller & Vuolo, 2018). The early research of Middleton and Putney (1962) suggests that society differentially condemns certain behaviors.…”

“…In addition to this group-based approach, some have adopted other multivariate strategies to explore the longitudinal nature of the relationship. The majority of this research finds that religious involvement has a negative impact on both marijuana and hard drug use over time (Desmond et al, 2010; Jang & Johnson, 2001; Miller & Vuolo, 2018; Thomson, 2016). Jang (2013) has also identified religious involvement as a significant turning point and insulator from binge drinking.…”

“…From the standpoint of Sampson and Laub’s (1993) age-graded theory of informal social control, religion can be understood as an institution or form of social capital that deters “the individual from realizing his/her natural proclivities to criminal activity” (Chu, 2007; Giordano, Longmore, Schroeder, & Seffrin, 2008, p. 101). Stated differently, religion becomes an additional element of the social bond to which individuals feel an attachment and commitment, and thus has the potential to influence behavior (Desmond, Kikuchi, & Budd, 2010; Jang & Johnson, 2001; Miller & Vuolo, 2018). As such, scholars have argued that involvement in religious activities can keep individuals from delinquency because it occupies otherwise free time to become involved in deviant activities and imposes standards and guidelines of moral and righteous behavior (Desmond et al, 2010; Miller & Vuolo, 2018; Petts, 2009a).…”

“…Stated differently, religion becomes an additional element of the social bond to which individuals feel an attachment and commitment, and thus has the potential to influence behavior (Desmond, Kikuchi, & Budd, 2010; Jang & Johnson, 2001; Miller & Vuolo, 2018). As such, scholars have argued that involvement in religious activities can keep individuals from delinquency because it occupies otherwise free time to become involved in deviant activities and imposes standards and guidelines of moral and righteous behavior (Desmond et al, 2010; Miller & Vuolo, 2018; Petts, 2009a).…”