Getting High and Feeling Good: Exploring the Association of Self-esteem with Drug Use through Meta-analysis

• In Event: Theories of Offending: Considering Strain, Masculinity, Self-Esteem and Public Violence

Abstract

Self-esteem is a commonly used variable in the social sciences and plays a key role in several theories, most notably strain theory, as predictor of criminal and delinquent behavior. Some studies have theorized that those with low self-esteem are more likely to engage in greater destructive and risky antisocial behavior, as well as externalizing behaviors such as drug use. However, there has not been a systematic review of self-esteem's role in relation to certain types of criminal behavior. The current study will address this gap in the research by conducting quantitative meta-analysis on studies that look at the connection between self-esteem as a predictor and substance use/drug use as an outcome. We theorize that self-esteem will have an overall slight negative effect on drug use. Also, relevant factors will be explored to see how certain variables moderate the overall relationship between drug use and self-esteem. Policy and program implications will be discussed as well.

Authors

• Carrie Sue Mier, Florida State University

• Roshni Trehan Ladny, Florida State University