Do Social Bonds Matter? Social Control Theory and Its Relationship to Desistance From Substance Abuse in China

Abstract

This study examines the effects of social bonds on drug users’ desistance from substance abuse, with a special focus on testing the applicability of social control theory in the context of China. Using data from a sample of 419 Chinese drug users, this study reveals salient influences of such bonding variables as familial attachment, involvement, belief, and parenthood on drug users’ confidence and efforts in achieving abstinence, providing some support for the arguments of social control theory. Given the limitations of institutional response in dealing with substance abuse issues, these findings have important policy implications for the direction of efforts to encourage desistance-related behavior among substance abusers.

How Adverse Childhood Experiences and Gender Shape Perceptions of Synthetic Drug Use and Desistance in Yunnan, China

“…As one respondent simply said, “my girlfriend often persuaded me not to use.” Having this network of family support allowed the men in our sample to go in a different direction in their lives. These findings support the theoretical work of Wu, Liu, Boateng, Cri, & Shua (2020) suggesting that ties to family shape desistance from substance abuse. Familial attachment and being a parent are positively associated with likelihood of desistance (see too Akers and Lee, 1999).…”

How to Enhance the Motivation for Drug Detoxification: Consciousness Guidance and Behaviour Restriction of Family Intergenerational Ethics

“…However, most of the relevant research is quantitative [ 15 , 16 ] and there is a lack of further understanding and interpretation of the mechanism of family factors. At the same time, it is obviously different from Western countries in terms of value pursuit and ethical orientation in Chinese society [ 17 ]. Family is not only an individual’s cultural unit, but also an important carrier to obtain code of conduct.…”