Spirituality today lowers the risk of drug use next year
Some researcher and editors must think that jargon-filled writing increases the relevance of their work. Here’s an abstract from a study where the word “shibboleth” was used.
Ten points if you know the definition of “shibboleth” without looking it up. Bonus points if you can use it in a sentence where no other simpler English-language word can be used.
That said. Here’s my summary of this spirituality study, with “shibboleth” deleted.
About 500 southern California high school students completed a survey of their spirituality and drug use.
- “Non-drug use spirituality” was defined as participation in spiritual groups, and engagement in spiritual practices such as prayer.
- “Drug-use spirituality” was defined as using drugs for “spiritual” reasons.
The results.
- Being spiritual and not using drugs now predicted not using alcohol, marijuana, and stimulants one year later.
- Using drugs now predicted using cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, and stimulants one year later.
There ya go. And I didn’t say “shibboleth” even once.
11/25/06 13:38 JR