Parental Emotional Abuse, Alcohol, and Drug Use During Covid-19: A General Strain Theory Approach - CANCELLED

• In Event: Juvenile Delinquency and the Family: Additional Evidence

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic initiated unprecedented lifestyle changes globally, particularly through social distancing policies aiming to mitigate virus transmission. These measures, including school closures and remote work, significantly altered familial dynamics, potentially increasing parental emotional abuse. While prior research has linked parental emotional abuse with alcohol and substance use, a theoretical framework explicating these relationships during the pandemic is lacking. This study addresses this gap by applying Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) to explore the connections between parental emotional abuse, adolescent anxiety and depression, and increased substance use during Covid-19. Utilizing data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), this study examines how emotional strain influences, particularly substance use, among adolescents. Findings suggest that strain, manifested through parental emotional abuse, exacerbates anxiety and depression, leading to increased substance use among adolescents. This study contributes to understanding the psychological ramifications of the pandemic and underscores the utility of GST in elucidating coping behaviors during periods of heightened strain.

Authors

• Sifat E. Rahman, University of Louisville

• George E. Higgins, University of Louisville

• Catherine D. Marcum, Appalachian State University

• Jason Nicholson, University of West Georgia

• Frederick Williams, Kentucky State University