Abstract
This study uses general strain theory to examine the direct and indirect relationship between early victimization and drug use. Few previous studies measure strain as victimization. Also, past studies tend to combine drug use measures with delinquency measures. This study expands this research by operationalizing strain as early victimization and using measures of both frequency and onset of drug use. National Survey of Adolescents data is used to test the hypotheses. The results show that when youth are victimized they will use drugs more frequently and use drugs at a younger age. These relationships were only partially mediated by social bonds and negative emotions.
Notes
1The exact question wordings, factor loadings, and alpha reliabilities are shown, when applicable, in the Appendix.
2Ancillary analyses were performed to further examine the victim/offender relationship. The children that were assaulted reported that the first incident was committed by a friend or family member in 55.2% of the cases involving sexual assault and in 53.9% of the cases involving physical assault.
3This variable was part of a larger PTSD measure that was adapted by Kilpatrick and Saunders from the DSM-IV. Kilpatrick and Saunders do not provide specific discussion of why the two week time period was chosen.
4According to the Institute for Research on Poverty the 2005 poverty threshold for a four person family was $19,806.
5Full model results are not shown in table form here, but that material is available from the first author on request.
*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001, n = 2,359.
**p < .01, ***p < .001, n = 2,359.
*p < .05; ***p < .001, n = 2,359.
*p < .05; ***p < .001, n = 2,359.