SOAR Member Profiles

Merry Young

• SOAR Position: Member; Alumni
• Major: Psychology
• Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Rebecca Oldham

Current Focus: The Relationship between Religion and Guilt after Sexual Encounters

Project Description

I studied how religion affects sex guilt via sexual attitudes, such as the importance of abstinence, communal attitudes about sex, and sociosexuality. I found that intended abstinence was the strongest mediator, those who intended to wait until marriage to have sex experienced the most guilt after having premarital sex.

Why does this topic interest you?

This topic interests me because of the influence of religion. Coming from a religious background, I find it interesting to see how the scripts within Christianity affect the lives of individuals and the relationships they have.

What are your professional aspirations?

After finishing undergrad I intend to go straight into graduate school to become an LPC for Military members and their families.

Do you have any advice for future researchers?

My advice to future researchers is to find a topic that you are wholeheartedly interested in. When you’re interested in the topic it makes research fun! I have loved my research experience because I was so intrigued by my topic!

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