NCJ Number
189428
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 29-46
Date Published
2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This literature review focuses on relevant family-based theories of adolescent substance use as well as family-based risk and protective factors, with implications drawn for future research and practice.
Abstract
The four major family-based theories of adolescent substance use explored in this literature review are family systems theory, social cognitive theory, social control theory, and strain theory. Family systems theory recognizes that adolescent substance use is not only an "adolescent" problem, but a family systems problems as well; adolescent behavior and development are considered in the context of family development as it proceeds through the family life cycle. Social cognitive (learning) theory is based on the premise that social behavior is acquired through direct conditioning by imitation or modeling of others' behavior. The influence of external factors such as parental influence is emphasized in this theory. According to social control theory, adolescents with higher levels of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief are less at risk for deviancy. Strain theory proposes that societal structures create different goals and means that may lead to criminal behavior as a means of adaptation. Based on some aspects of the aforementioned theory, the risk-focused model was also explored in the literature. Grounded in social cognitive (learning) and social control theories, the risk-focused or social development model emphasizes building protective factors and reducing risk factors. The discussion of family-based risk and protective factors focuses on the influence of siblings, the influence of parents, and the influence of family characteristics. A brief discussion of the implications of the literature review for practice advises that social work practice should solicit the involvement of families, including parents and siblings, as experts in reducing or preventing adolescent substance use. Prevention and intervention programs should use the expertise of families as positive social networks in eliminating adolescent substance use. Moreover, social work service providers should develop and implement programs that promote ethnic pride as a protection for adolescent substance use. 117 references