Effects of self‐control, drug‐use peers and family attachment on drug use among Chinese users: A gender‐specific analysis

Abstract

Introduction The increasing trend of synthetic drug use has been a significant concern in China. The current research adopted a gendered perspective to examine the effects of self‐control, drug‐use peers and family attachment on drug use frequency in China. Methods This cross‐sectional survey research recruited 785 people who used drugs from four compulsory drug rehabilitation institutions in Guangdong and Shandong Province of China in 2018. Ordinary least squares regression analyses were conducted to examine the gendered effects of self‐control (Grasmick et al.'s cognitive scale), drug‐use peers and family attachment on drug use frequency. Results Low self‐control was neither a significant nor gendered predictor of drug use frequency when controlling for effects of drug‐use peers and family attachment. Drug‐use peers strongly increased participants' drug use frequency, regardless of gender. However, an important finding is that for males, support from families reduced drug use frequency but conversely meeting and contact with families increased drug use frequency. For females, only trust in families prevented their further involvement in drug use. Discussion and Conclusions Low self‐control may not be a core explanatory factor for drug use behaviours in China. Thus, treatment programs should focus more on skills building than self‐control. Future programs could focus more on reducing association with their drug‐use peers and further explore the complex relationships with their families. Gender should be considered in treatment options.

The Mediating Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Adolescent Drug Abuse Identification

“…The present study finds a significant positive correlation between poor parenting styles and drug abuse identification. The poorer parenting styles are used, the higher the level of drug abuse identification is, which is consistent with the results of previous studies (Becoña et al, 2012;Irles et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2020;Zhang and Demant, 2021), whereas the mediating mechanism of the relationship remains largely unknown. This study explored the mechanisms of the relationships between parenting styles, such as maternal and paternal parenting styles, and drug abuse identification based on social support.…”

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

“…Our finding that women tended to cite their children, and being a caretaker for the family, as the reason why they quit using synthetic drugs supports extant theory (Sampson & Laub, 1993; Laub & Sampson, 2003; Giordano et al, 2002; Felitti et al, 1998; Craig, 2020; Zhang & Demant, 2021). It was a desire to provide a better life for them, a belief in family values, which prompted female users to quit.…”

“…Many posit that women are more likely than men to perceive risks of synthetic drug use compared to men (Hall & Nelson, 1996; Winick, 1962); however, Brown, Domier and Rawson (2015) found that female methamphetamine users were less likely than men to report any negative effects from use. Recent work by Zhang and Demant (2021) posits that low self-control is not predictive of drug use. On the other hand, association with drug using peers appears most problematic.…”

“…Sampson and Laub (1993:6) adopted a theoretical approach to desistance emphasizing social bonds arguing that “the stronger the adult tie to work and family, the less crime and deviance” among former offenders (see too Sampson & Laub, 1993). Likewise, Zhang (2021) and Zhang and Demant (2021) posit that family attachment is important in desistance from illicit substance use; however, this is mediated by the presence of drug using friends. For men, support from family is critical in desistance from substances while women who place trust in their family are most apt to quit using (Zhang & Demant, 2021).…”

“…Likewise, Zhang (2021) and Zhang and Demant (2021) posit that family attachment is important in desistance from illicit substance use; however, this is mediated by the presence of drug using friends. For men, support from family is critical in desistance from substances while women who place trust in their family are most apt to quit using (Zhang & Demant, 2021). Notably, these studies rely on quantitative work among those detained in compulsory drug detention facilities in China.…”