Exploratory Study of High Risk Behaviours Amongst Muslim Adults Living in Australia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore a broad range of high risk behaviours amongst the Muslim community in Australia. Social supports, decision making and lifestyle factors were also investigated. Previous studies have found religiosity to be a protective factor for risk behaviours. However few studies have examined a broad variety of risk behaviours, particularly in the Muslim community. Respondents for this study included 149 adults who identified as Muslims and participated in an online survey adapted from that used by (Abbott-Chapman & Denholm, 2001; Abbott-Chapman, Denholm, & Wyld, 2008a, 2008b). The Risk Activity by Personal Risk Assessment (RAPRA) index was used to combine risk perception and risk involvement scores of 24 risk behaviours to determine risk propensity from the perspective of the participants. Weighted averages of the 24 risk behaviours were correlated with demographic data using Pearson’s correlations and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests to determine factors associated with each risk behaviour. The religiosity index which combined religious beliefs, place of worship attendance and religious importance was also correlated with weighted averages to determine if religiosity was a protective factor. Relationships between risk activities were also explored. Data on social support networks, decision making and lifestyle values were also collected. On average, behaviours involving manufactured illegal drug use were of least concern and sex without self/partner being on the pill, watching R or X rated movies, sex without a condom and speeding in a car were of highest concern. However risk propensity ranged from low to moderate across all 24 behaviours. Characteristics related to the most risks were being a male, being a parent and low religiosity which were all related to alcohol, smoking marijuana/hash and smoking cigarettes. All risk activities had significant relationships with other risk activities in the study. High religiosity was found to be protective for binge drinking, alcohol use, cigarettes, gambling, smoking marijuana/hash, snorting cocaine and taking speed/ecstasy. Muslims would seek support from their close family members and same gender friends for personal and career issues and parents were most trusted. Doctors were most relied on for health problems and teachers/educators were most relied on for study problems. When making decisions about risk, Muslims concern for safety, morality, legality and family were found to be important. Lifestyle values considered important by Muslims included self-respect, being responsible for one’s own actions, perceptions of right and wrong and respecting others. Muslims considered following rules set by religion, sharing experience with someone more experienced, seeking advice from parents and seeking advice from members of their religious community all as important when making decisions about their lifestyle. These findings provide significant data for future research in specific areas of concern in the Muslim community particularly with men and parents. This study also supports research that implies that high religiosity is effective in preventing involvement in risk activities. Religion, family and community were found to important values in the lives of Muslims and in their decision making processes.