Cross-Level Theoretical Predictions of Marijuana, Methamphetamine, and Opium Use

ABSTRACT

Despite the large body of literature investigating drug use, limited research has explored both the individual and structural dimensions of drug use, and an even smaller number of studies have focused on drug use in the Asian context. The current study draws on self-reported survey data on marijuana, methamphetamine, and opium use among offenders in South Korea. We apply four major theoretical perspectives to understand predictors of drug use in this context. Results demonstrate the link between methamphetamine use and unemployment and find strong predictability of social learning variables. Limitations and implications of the current study are discussed.

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Notes on contributors

Jihoon Kim

JIHOON KIM is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law at the University of Florida. His research interests lie in the area of life course/developmental theory and quantitative analysis. His recent or forthcoming publications appear in Crime and Delinquency and Deviant Behavior.

Lindsay Leban

LINDSAY LEBAN is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law at the University of Florida. She received her master’s degree in criminology from University of Florida in 2015 and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2012. Her research interests include substance and drug use, gender and offending, neighborhood effects, and life-course/developmental criminology. Her recent publications appear in Justice Quarterly and Deviant Behavior.

Yeungjeom Lee

YEUNGJEOM LEE is a Criminology doctoral student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law at the University of Florida. Her primary interests include life course/developmental criminology and juvenile delinquency. Her most recent publications appear in Crime and Delinquency and Deviant Behavior.