College Students Drug Usage: A Study of Differential Association

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

College students’ substance usage and abuse is a heavily studied area. Research suggests that marijuana usage is increasing for college students, and that college students are more likely than non-college peers to binge drink and get drunk. Research suggests that almost a third of college students have used non-prescribed medicine before, and that illicit drug usage is prevailing problem in college. The purpose of this study is to look at the effect peer’s substance usage has on participant’s substance usage using Differential Association Theory. By looking at differential association theory, participants are learning these behaviors as a result of the college environment and partaking in drinking alcohol, using non-prescription drugs, narcotics, and heroin. Using data collected from college students in an Introduction to Sociology course at a Midwestern public university from 2013 to 2014. Preliminary results suggest that peer usage of drugs is significant in respondent's drug usage overall. This study will look at non-prescription drug usage along with more typical "hard drug" usage.

Authors

• Matthew Williamson, University of Akron

• Davishay Lawrence, University of Akron

• Robert Peralta, University of Akron