The Role of Social Learning in the Relationship between Low Self-Control and College Student Substance Use

• In Event: Roundtable: Substance and Alcohol Abuse Research

Abstract

Prior research suggests that social learning influences the relationship between low self-control and substance use. We suggest two possible explanations for this moderating effect, which may explain why youth with low self-control are at risk of enhanced substance use when surrounded by substance-using peers. First, consistent with a General Theory of Crime, substance-using peers may provide access to illicit drugs, thus providing opportunities to use. Second, substance-using peers may offer a supportive normative context in which to use (e.g., differential reinforcement). Drawing on a sample of college students (N = 2247), we tested both explanations across the substance use outcomes of alcohol intoxication, marijuana use, prescription drug misuse, and hard drug use. Our results indicate complete support for the differential reinforcement explanation and no support for the opportunities to use explanation. Those with lower levels of self-control were more likely to engage in all four types of substance use when surrounded by close friends who rewarded them for their use. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of our findings.

Authors

• Matthew Grindal, University of Idaho

• Wade Schumaker, University of Idaho