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Escalation of Marijuana Use: Application of a General Theory of Deviant Behavior

NCJ Number
142340
Journal
Journal of Health and Social Behavior Volume: 27 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 44-61
Author(s)
H B Kaplan; S S Martin; R J Johnson; C A Robbins
Date Published
1986
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A general theory and specific hypotheses are proposed for why some individuals become regular marijuana users.
Abstract
A linear model was estimated that explains the escalation of marijuana use. Twenty-three variables were ordered causally in four stages. The subjects, 1,229 young adults, reported using marijuana at least once. The analysis used data provided at two points in a panel study: in the seventh grade, by self- administered questionnaire, and as adults (23-25 years) by household interview. Seventh grade measures of peer acceptance and avoidant defensive tendencies directly predicted escalation of marijuana use. Other seventh-grade measures had indirect effects on escalation of use through age of first trying marijuana and through the circumstances and consequences of first trying marijuana. The strongest effect in the model was that increasing age for first trying marijuana led to decreased probability of escalated use. Trying marijuana at a time of psychological distress and without peer motivation predicted escalated use. The consequences of initial use, namely, weakening of ties with significant others and adverse physical or psychological outcomes, had the effect of increased marijuana use. 2 notes, 2 figures, 2 tables, 53 references, and 1 appendix

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