Low Self-Control, Substance-Using Peers and Intimate Partners, Pro-Drug Use Definitions, and Inhalant Use Among Convicted Offenders in South Korea

• Published date: 01 January 2021
• Author: Jaeyong Choi,Nathan E. Kruis
• Date: 01 January 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042620961351
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042620961351

Journal of Drug Issues

2021, Vol. 51(1) 128 –142

© The Author(s) 2020

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042620961351

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Article

Low Self-Control, Substance-Using

Peers and Intimate Partners,

Pro-Drug Use Definitions, and

Inhalant Use Among Convicted

Offenders in South Korea

Jaeyong Choi1 and Nathan E. Kruis2

Abstract

Hirschi has repeatedly argued that the relationship between social learning variables and

crime is a product of “self-selection” driven by low self-control (LSC). Akers’ has suggested

that social learning mechanisms, such as affiliations with deviant individuals and acceptance

of criminal definitions, can mediate the effects of LSC on crime. Interestingly, there has been

little comparative work done to explore this mediation hypothesis in the realm of substance

use for offender populations outside of the United States. This study helps fill these gaps in

the literature by exploring the potential mediation effects of social learning variables on the

relationship between LSC and inhalant use among a sample of 739 male offenders in South

Korea. Our results provide strong support for the mediation hypothesis that LSC indirectly

influences self-reported inhalant use through social learning mechanisms.

Keywords

self-control, differential association, substance use, inhalant use

Introduction

Two of the best theoretical explanations of substance use are Akers’ (2009) social learning theory

and Gottfredson & Hirschi’s (1990) general theory of crime (Beaver et al., 2016; Kruis et al.,

2020; Pratt & Cullen, 2000; Pratt et al., 2010). However, there has been much debate surrounding

the interrelationship between self-control, differential association, and substance use. Some theo-

rists have argued that the link between social learning variables and deviant behavior is merely a

spurious reflection of self-selection driven by low self-control (LSC; e.g., Demuth, 2004;

Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). Consistent with this hypothesis, some previous work has shown

that LSC influences individuals to self-select into relationships with deviant individuals (Chapple,

2005; Schaefer, 2018). Others have suggested that the effects of differential association on devi-

ance are independent of LSC (e.g., Akers, 1999; Warr, 2002; Wright & Cullen, 2000). There is a

small body of empirical work that supports this hypothesis, too (Holt et al., 2012; Hwang &

1Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, USA

2Penn State Altoona, USA

Corresponding Author:

Jaeyong Choi, Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice, Angelo State University, 2601 W. Avenue N, San

Angelo, TX 76909, USA.

Email: jaeyong.choi@angelo.edu

961351JODXXX10.1177/0022042620961351Journal of Drug IssuesChoi and Kruis

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