Strain and Prescription Drug Misuse in the United States Military

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have shown that prescription drug misuse occurs with striking regularity among members of the United States military. Yet, few prior studies have sought to examine the underlying mechanisms that contribute to prescription drug misuse among members of the armed forces. Drawing from general strain theory, results of an analysis of data from 74 current and former members of the military reveal that both structural and cultural sources of strain within the military relate to prescription drug misuse. Overall, the strain associated with the cultural expectation of masculinity is most robustly related to prescription drug misuse while on duty.

Notes

¹ We also used age at enlistment and age at the time of discharge from the military. However, none of these measures performed differently in the forthcoming analysis and, as a result, we simply use age at the time of the survey in the analyses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas J. Mowen

Thomas J. Mowen is in the Department of Sociology at Bowling Green State University. His research examines the effect of punishment on youth and family outcomes and the role of family within the process of reentry from prison. Dr. Mowen's recent work has appeared in Criminology, Justice Quarterly, and Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency.

Taylor Tolles

Taylor Tolles is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Louisville. His research interests include exploring military deviance, understanding how social identity relates to recidivism, and investigating prescription drug misuse among members of the military, police and firefighters.

Ryan D. Schroeder

Ryan D. Schroeder is a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia Southern University. His research addresses desistance processes, drug use, emotional development, family functioning, and religious processes.