Sacred verses screen: Can religiosity buffer digital distress and delay discounting?

https://doi.org/10.51867/scimundi.5.2.35

Authors

Keywords:

Digital Distress, Delay Discounting Task, Religiosity, Students

Abstract

This study explored the influence of digital distress (DD) on the delay discounting task (DDT) among religious studies students and examined whether religiosity (RE) could moderate their choices when stress is high at the University of Cape Coast. It ultimately explored the level of DD, RE, and DDT. Also, it sought to establish the correlation and the effect of DD and DDT, as well as the moderating effect of RE on DD. Self-Control Theory and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping underpinned the study. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, researchers gathered data from 120 university students, relying on standardized tools to measure DD, DDT, and RE. This was done with the use of census population. Data was analysed descriptively using frequencies, means and standard deviations, as well as Pearson correlation, a simple linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression with moderation analysis. Participants showed a moderate level of DD, a high level of RE, and a moderate level of DDT. Pearson’s correlation showed a clear positive link between DD and DDT. A simple linear regression showed that DD was a strong predictor of DDT, explaining 19.5% of the variance. Moderated regression analysis indicated that RE significantly affected the relationship between DD and DDT, with the comprehensive model explaining 24.8% of the variance. Instead of easing the strain, RE actually heightened the impact of DD on DDT. The study urges the Ministry of Education, regulators, university leaders, faith groups, mental health experts, and student representatives to work together on a National Digital Wellness Framework, one that sets clear policies, builds mental health facilities, creates quiet tech-free corners, tracks distress, offers faith-based and peer support, and provides culturally sensitive counselling, all aimed at easing digital strain and encouraging healthy tech use in Ghana’s universities.

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Author Biographies

Bless Yaw Adu, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

a student at the department of arts education, at the unversity of cape caost

Isaac woode, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

a student at the deparment of Arts Education at the university of Cape Coast

Dimensions

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Published

2025-12-03

How to Cite

Asante, E. F., Adu, B. Y., & woode, I. (2025). Sacred verses screen: Can religiosity buffer digital distress and delay discounting?. SCIENCE MUNDI, 5(2), 366–379. https://doi.org/10.51867/scimundi.5.2.35

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): Jul-Dec 2025

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Articles
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Copyright (c) 2025 Emmanuel Frimpong Asante, Bless Yaw Adu, Isaac woode

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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