Cultural-Level Influences on Substance Use & Misuse

Abstract

This presentation discusses potential associations between dimensions of culture and patterns of substance use. Several well-known frameworks for organizing cultural values and orientations are presented. As an illustration, one framework () is examined for its relevance in understanding national-level variations in patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use. Two of four cultural dimensions examined, individualism-collectivism and uncertainty avoidance, are found to be independently associated with one or more substance use measures in a diverse sample of 64 nations. Future multi-level analyses that integrate cultural values and orientations into empirical studies will enable more systematic assessments of the role of socio-cultural contexts in substance use epidemiology.

Keywords:

• culture
• cultural orientations
• cultural values
• substance use
• abstinence

Notes

¹The journal's style utilizes the categorysubstance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.