Social Control Theory as a Theory of Conformity: The Case of Asian/Pacific Drug and Alcohol Nonuse

Abstract

This study uses data from the Asian Student Drug Survey to examine the extent to which social control and peer cluster theories explain drug and alcohol use among students of various Asian American subgroups. The data suggest that drug and alcohol use differs significantly among the various subgroups. Pacific Islander and Filipino American youths have the highest rates, whereas Chinese American youths have the lowest rates of use. Among some ethnic groups, families, friends, and teachers are unable to keep youths from using drugs and alcohol. Even so, families play an important role for Chinese and Asian Indians, and teachers are important in keeping Southeast Asians from drug and alcohol use. Commitment to school and to high moral standards also insulates youths from drug and alcohol use. Contrary to social control theory, however, use of drugs and alcohol by peers strongly affects alcohol and drug use. The data suggest that youths of all ethnic groups tend to use drugs and alcohol when their peers have tried marijuana, have gotten drunk, have been gang members, or have encouraged marijuana use. In general, the data are consistent with social control theory, with the exception of peer influence on drug and alcohol use as predicted by peer cluster theory.