The social learning and social control determinants of alcohol use among youth in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This study aims to predict social determinants of alcohol use and examines the influence of social bond/attachment, parental control and social learning on the frequency of youth alcohol use. The total of 1843 complete responses were received from 25 high school students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to examine the results of this study. There are very few studies assessed the aspects of the social learning and social control theories in Kyrgyzstan and it is a total new area for youth deviant behavior studies. The results of this study indicate that social bond and attachment decreases the use of alcohol among high school students. However, parental control and social learning (differential association) increase the the frequency of the alcohol consumption among Kyrgyz youth.

School Bonds and the Onset of Substance Use among Korean Youth: An Examination of Social Control Theory

“…Most studies that apply social control theory to explain youth risk behaviors have only tested a subset of the four social bond elements—e.g., the relation of attachment to youth outcomes [ 41 ], predicting impact of social and school connectedness on later substance use [ 19 ], or comparison of the impacts of social belonging and teacher support on health-risk behaviors [ 42 ]—which limits our ability to compare the effects of each element [ 21 ]. Finally, with the exception of a few [ 34 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], the vast majority of empirical studies that apply social control theory to comprehend substance use behaviors among youth populations have been conducted in western countries [ 46 , 47 ], which limits the applicability of the theory to a broader global population.…”

Substance Abuse among Youth: A Harsh Reality

“…Students also get homework to do with a parent or guardian, to enhance positive communication between them. Social bond and attachment with parents could decrease the consumption of drug among youth [21]. The youth could be the active part of the campaign against drug use.…”

“…In Kyrgyzstan and other post-soviet countries, it is acceptable for adolescents to drink alcoholic beverages during celebrations [21]. This attitude can facilitate early alcohol use and later, drug abuse [21]. In some countries, there are few restrictions, and drugs can be bought from a pharmacist or chemist without prescription.…”

“…Accessibility to alcohol at home and parents drinking are risk factors for the onset of alcohol use in adolescence [23]. In Kyrgyzstan and other post-soviet countries, it is acceptable for adolescents to drink alcoholic beverages during celebrations [21]. This attitude can facilitate early alcohol use and later, drug abuse [21].…”

“…A study of risk factors related to drug abuse in Pakistan identified bereavement in families and relationship difficulties [20]. A study in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan found that a poor relationship between children and parents leads to increased alcohol consumption among youth [21]. Up to 35% of the young drug abusers in Pakistan reported their parents are also abuse drugs [22].…”