Problematic alcohol use seen through the lens of a situational action perspective: Patterns of change in substance use propensity and substancegenic exposure

• In Event: Social Contexts and Differential Expression of Crime Propensities in Relation to Gender, Adjudication, Problematic Substance Use, and Political Extremism

Abstract

Situational Action Theory (SAT) aims to explain rule guided behaviours, stating that rule breaking behaviours which do not follow rules of conduct are caused by high personal propensities and exposure and their interaction. Alcohol use in the adult population is generally, in most societies, perceived as a normalized behaviour, whereas very early use – before the legal drinking age – could be seen as norm breaking behaviour. Furthermore, problematic use is often considered to break rules of conduct among both adults and young people. Using data from the longitudinal Peterborough Adolescent and Young Adult Development Study (PADS+), this paper aims to explore patterns of propensities and exposure among non-problematic and problematic users, distinguished by whether they have seen and/or received treatment from a doctor, psychiatrist, social worker, or a substance use worker for substance use (alcohol/drugs) problems or addiction. When propensity and/or exposure changes for problematic users is of particular interest, and whether their patterns look different than those among non-problematic users. Although early high propensity and exposure are hypothesized to influence later use, it is hypothesized that later situations are even more important for who has a problematic use.

Author

• Nina-Katri Jessica Gustafsson, University of Cambridge / Stockholm University