Heroin Use among Adolescents: A Multi-Theoretical Examination

Abstract

Criminological examination of substance use is common in the extant literature; however, little research has examined heroin use among adolescents. Recent trends in drug use indicate a rise of heroin among adolescents indicating a need to provide theoretical explanations of this phenomenon. This study examines the efficacy of social learning theory and social bond theory to explain heroin use. The study uses a nationally representative sample of adolescents from the Monitoring the Future Survey (N = 2,465). The results support the central arguments from social structure social learning theory. First, the results show that social structure components have links with heroin use. Second, the results show that social learning theory mediates the effect of social structure measures on heroin use. The results are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian P. Schaefer

BRIAN P. SCHAEFER is a doctoral student at the University of Louisville in the Department of Justice Administration. He received his master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He has articles published in Sociological Spectrum, Criminal Justice Review, and Race and Justice. His research interests include police behavior and enforcement strategies, criminological and criminal justice theory, and research methods.

Anthony G. Vito

ANTHONY G. VITO is a doctoral student in the Department of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. His research interests are crime and drugs, gun violence, crime prevention, criminology, and policing.

Catherine D. Marcum

CATHERINE D. MARCUM is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Her research interests are cybercrime, correctional issues, and sexual victimization.

George E. Higgins

GEORGE E. HIGGINS is a Professor in the Department of Justice Administration at the University of Louisville. He received his Ph.D. in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2001. He currently serves as editor of the Journal of Criminal Justice Education. His most recent publications appear or are forthcoming in Journal of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Justice Quarterly, Deviant Behavior, and Youth and Society.

Melissa L. Ricketts

MELISSA L. RICKETTS is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Criminal Justice Department at Shippensburg University. She received her Ph.D. in Criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her most recent publications appear in the Journal of Financial Crime, Deviant Behavior, and American Journal of Criminal Justice. Her research focuses on criminological theory testing.