Religiousness and Health Support Issues from the Standpoint of Contemporary Student Youth

The article provides the findings of an empirical research into the correlation between religiousness of student youth in the city of Vladimir and its attitude towards their health through the spectacle of religious studies. The poll was conducted in April 2022 by means of a questionnaire survey among the students of higher education institutions in Vladimir. The overall sample comprised 509 respondents. The subject matter of the research is a specific nature of correlation between students’ understanding of their own religiousness and their views towards the importance of a healthy lifestyle. For the purposes of analysis, the students were divided into three identification groups depending on their self-identity: “believers”, “non-believers”, and “persons in doubt”, amounting to 23.4, 26.2 and 50.4%, respectively. The findings demonstrate that more than a half (52.3%) of students completely agree that one shall take a medicine only by prescription and that it is important to undergo preventive medical examinations (59.3%). The findings also reveal the impact of religious self-identity on the self-assessment of students’ health. There are considerably more those agreeing that they are absolutely healthy among the “believers” when compared to the “persons in doubt”, and especially to the “non-believers”. The overwhelming majority of students agree that “disease is a natural event caused by viruses or microorganisms” rather than a “punishment for one’s sins”. Further activities aimed at the development of rational approaches preconditioning young people’s willingness to protect their own health might become an effective mechanism allowing for congruent behavior with a focus on preservation and strengthening of a person’s well-being.

student youth, religiousness, health support