Effects of Acute Versus Chronic School Violence Exposure on Substance Use

• In Event: Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Issues in Conflict Resolution and Violence Prevention

Abstract

Research suggests a link between school violence exposure and substance use, but causality has not been strictly established. Additionally, theory predicts that the effect of school violence on substance use decisions may vary depending on individuals' previous history of violence exposure. Using data from Add Health, I find that those with early violence exposure have higher rates of substance use later in life. Propensity score models also demonstrate a causal link. Most interesting, an instance of victimization has a much larger effect on substance use if it is an isolated incident for a person with little history of violence exposure; among those who suffer chronic violence exposure, a single incidence of exposure has limited effect on likelihood of drug use.

Author

• Daniel M. Kimmel, Yeshiva University