Does Personality Interact With Drug Use to Predict Criminal Outcomes?

• In Event: Understanding the Complexities of Criminal Offending & Drug Use/Misuse

Abstract

Studies consistently show that there is an association between drug use and criminal involvement. Several studies have suggested that this association means that drug use leads to crime, while other studies have discovered the reverse causal order with criminal involvement leading to drug use. A more promising line of research suggests that drugs and crime are not causally related, but are both caused by a third variable. While several environmental factors have been identified, it is possible that personality traits could be this third factor and cause both drug use and criminal outcomes. Current research suggests that relationships between personality, drug use, and criminal involvement exist. However, researchers have yet to examine whether personality and drug use interact to predict specific crimes. The current study uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) data to determine whether there are interactions between personality and drug use that predict criminal involvement. Results and future implications for research and drug treatment will also be discussed.

Author

• Wanda Leal, Texas A&M University - San Antonio