Underage Drinking in America: An Explanation through the Lens of the General Theory of Crime. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baek, Hyunin; Lee, Selye
• Is Part Of: Deviant behavior. Volume 41:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Deviant behavior -- Periodicals; 302.54205
• DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2018.1519132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9625

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Despite the high rate of drinking among adolescents and its negative consequences, studies regarding causality of drinking behaviors have been under-examined. Regarding causal factors of underage drinking, Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime provided a useful theoretical frame. Using the data set of "Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth, " this study conducted multiple regression analyses with the selected sample data set of 4, 626. The results indicated that adolescents with a lower self-control were more likely to drink than those with a high self-control. Furthermore, opportunity (i.e., accessibility of alcohol and drinking peers) was a strong predictor of underage drinking. Particularly, this study found a significant effect of the interaction between low self-control and opportunity on drinking among American youth. Thus, this study strongly supports the general theory of crime as well as provides an approach to reduce underage drinking in America.