“Create in Me a Clean Heart”: The Role of Spirituality in Desistance From Substance Use

• Author: Brent Teasdale,Beverly Reece Crank
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042618823006
• Date: 01 April 2019
• Published date: 01 April 2019
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042618823006

Journal of Drug Issues

2019, Vol. 49(2) 203 –227

© The Author(s) 2019

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/0022042618823006

journals.sagepub.com/home/jod

Article

“Create in Me a Clean Heart”:

The Role of Spirituality in

Desistance From Substance Use

Beverly Reece Crank1 and Brent Teasdale2

Abstract

Although the impact of religion on behavior is robust and well-examined in many areas, the role

spirituality plays in changes in drug use over time has received relatively little attention. Using a

life-course theoretical framework, this relationship is examined through growth curve modeling

techniques. Specifically, multilevel analyses are estimated testing within-person relationships

between substance use desistance and spirituality. The Pathways to Desistance longitudinal data

are analyzed and leading criminological predictors are included, to determine if spirituality has

a unique impact on substance use net of these criminological factors, and if these impacts vary

across gender. Results from these analyses suggest that the impact of spirituality on desistance

varies by gender, with spirituality significantly increasing the odds of desistance from marijuana

use for females, but not males.

Keywords

spirituality, desistance, substance use, gender

Religion has long been recognized as having a fundamental influence on beliefs, behaviors, and

outcomes in society (Durkheim, 1912/2008; Weber, 1905/2002). Considered a cultural universal,

religion has been a persistent component of human life for thousands of years, serving to guide

and regulate behavior. Scholars from a wide variety of disciplines have investigated the effects

of religion on a number of outcomes. For instance, research suggests that religion has important

impacts on mortality (Koenig, 2015; McCullough, Hoyt, Larson, Koenig, & Thoresen, 2000),

physical health (Jim et al., 2015; Koenig, 2015; Powell, Shahabi, & Thoresen, 2003), mental

well-being (Abdaleati, Zaharim, & Mydin, 2016; Ano & Vasconcelles, 2005; Hackney & Sanders,

2003; Peres, Kamei, Tobo, & Lucchetti, 2018; Smith, McCullough, & Poll, 2003), academics

(Kim, 2015; Regnerus & Elder, 2003a, 2003b), and marital satisfaction (David & Stafford, 2015;

Mahoney, Pargament, Tarakeshwar, & Swank, 2001). There is also some evidence of religion’s

effect on crime and delinquency (Baier & Wright, 2001; Kelly, Polanin, Jang, & Johnson, 2015;

Regnerus & Elder, 2003a), and substance use (Johnson, Tompkins, & Webb, 2002; Kelly et al.,

1Kennesaw State University, GA, USA

2Illinois State University, Normal, USA

Corresponding Author:

Beverly Reece Crank, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State University, 402 Bartow Avenue

MB#2204, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA.

Email: bcrank@kennesaw.edu

823006JODXXX10.1177/0022042618823006Journal of Drug IssuesCrank and Teasdale

research-article2019

204 Journal of Drug Issues 49(2)

2015; Koenig, 2015; Yeung, Chan, & Lee, 2009). However, scholars note that there is a lack of

research on religion and changes in offending, specifically focusing on desistance from deviant

behaviors (Ulmer, Desmond, Jang, & Johnson, 2012).

At the same time, the majority of existing research tends to focus on religious involvement,

rather than spirituality. This is notable, as there is good reason to believe spirituality, in particular,

may have a substantial impact on substance use. When using the concept spirituality, although

similar to religion, we are referring to a highly individualized, emotional, and freeing expression

(see P. C. Hill & Pargament, 2003). To be sure, individuals may identify as being “spiritual but

not religious,” meaning they place emphasis on the mind–body–spirit connection, but may not

participate in formal, organized religion (Mercadante, 2014, also see Marler & Hadaway, 2002).

If we only focus on measures of religion, we may fail to capture those who experience spirituality

outside of religious organizations. Furthermore, spirituality may serve as a stronger “hook for

change” (see Giordano, Longmore, Schroeder, & Seffrin, 2007), as it may better represent one’s

inner desire to experience a connection and closeness to the spiritual world, rather than just sim-

ply attending church and failing to practice faith outside of the confinements of the religious

institution. At the same time, it should be noted that these two concepts are largely interrelated.

As discussed by P. C. Hill and Pargament (2003), spirituality is often experienced within an orga-

nized religious context, and many do not recognize the distinction between the two. As shown in

past research, those who are more spiritual tend to be more religiously active (see Marler &

Hadaway, 2002; Scott, 2001). Thus, when reviewing the literature, we examine studies measur-

ing both religiousness and spirituality.

Past qualitative studies suggest that ex-offenders frequently point to religion (Adorjan &

Chui, 2012; Giordano, Cernkovich, & Rudolph, 2002) and/or spirituality (Giordano et al., 2007;

Schroeder & Frana, 2009) as an influential turning point from substance use. Relying on religion

or a spiritual connection during trying times may curb participation in delinquent activities (see

Ulmer et al., 2012). Thus, religion or spirituality may serve to redirect behavior. Quantitative

researchers also have begun to explore religion and spirituality and desistance from substance

use (Ulmer et al., 2012); however, gaps in the literature remain. For example, few quantitative

studies have used a sample of serious adolescent offenders (see Giordano et al., 2007, as an

exception), which, as suggested by Topalli, Brezina, and Bernhardt (2012), could have an impor-

tant impact on offending behavior. For instance, they note how “offenders operate within a con-

text very different from those in mainstream society” (p. 63). Thus, when information consistent

with mainstream society, such as religious doctrine, is involved, “such information must either be

actively ignored or somehow integrated into the offender’s decision-making processes so as to

not impede the criminal functionality of said lifestyles” (Topalli et al., 2012, p. 63).

In addition, past studies have been limited in the inclusion of important criminological predic-

tors when examining the effect of religion or spirituality on substance use. This is of concern as

predictors such as self-control, strain, social bonds, and antisocial peer associations have been

found to impact religion (see Burkett & Warren, 1987; Desmond, Ulmer, & Bader, 2013; Jang &

Johnson, 2003; Johnson, Jang, Larson, & Li, 2001; McCullough & Willoughby, 2009), spiritual-

ity (Salas-Wright, Olate, & Vaughn, 2013), and substance use (Johnson et al., 2002; Yeung et al.,

2009). Failing to control for these important predictors may produce misleading findings.

Researchers may overestimate the importance of spirituality on desistance from substance use,

while potentially overlooking and underestimating the role of other key factors. Finally, even

fewer studies have investigated the gendered context of desistance from substance use. Past

research typically includes controls for gender, but researchers have yet to fully examine if spiri-

tuality impacts desistance from substance use differently for males versus females.

In this study, we attempt to fill the gaps in the current literature in several ways. First, we use

a sample of serious adolescent offenders who may not be as responsive to, or as involved in,

spirituality, or who may misinterpret or distort religious teachings potentially creating a