Can General Strain Theory Explain College Students' Prescription Drug Misuse?

• In Event: The Pedagogy of Justice: Student-Faculty-Community Collaborative Engagement in Justice Research/Scholarship in New Orleans

Abstract

Prescription drug misuse is on the rise, but there have been few attempts to explain this behavior from a criminological perspective and what attempts exist rely principally on social learning theory. We seek to expand on this work by examining the utility of general strain theory in explaining prescription drug misuse among college students. We surveyed undergraduate students in a New Orleans area university about their misuse of prescription stimulants, depressants and opioids and their experiences with strains, including academic and relationship difficulties. Our findings show some support for general strain theory's ability to explain various types of prescription drug misuse. We discuss these findings in conjunction with prevention strategies at the university level.

Authors

• Jennifer Montero, Loyola University

• Jordan Pedalino, Loyola University

• Victoria Stelfox, Loyola University

• Kristen Pepper, Loyola University

• Gabrielle Lewis, Loyola University

• C.J. Beuerman, Loyola University

• Kelly Frailing, Loyola University New Orleans