NCJ Number
170935
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (1997) Pages: 311-326
Date Published
1997
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This research drew upon social control theory to test hypotheses concerning the impact of labor market problems on crime and cannabis use during the transition from school to work.
Abstract
Some research on adolescents has suggested that delinquency and drug use may have a common etiology; however, there have been fewer studies on this issue among older youth in transition to adulthood. Unemployment and job instability during this transition may be a source of both crime and drug use, particularly among those youth who have particular attitudes and beliefs about the labor market. The current study contrasted predictions of control and strain theory concerning the interaction between labor market experiences and attitudes, using a multivariate analysis with longitudinal data from a 4-year follow-up of high school graduates from three Canadian cities. The sample consisted of 836 high school graduates. Although the results show some overlap in the risk factors for crime and cannabis use, there were also differing causal patterns that suggest minor crime may be a response to temporary labor market problems; whereas, cannabis use is a more enduring behavioral pattern. 48 references and 2 tables