Determinants of Social Disorganization as Predictors of Illicit Drug Use During Recessionary Years

Determinants of Social Disorganization as Predictors of Illicit Drug Use During Recessionary Years by Daniel Kirk Westmoreland, Jr. MS, University of Phoenix, 2010 BA, Rollins College, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University October 2015 Abstract Research suggests evidence of an association between sociodemographic determinants and illicit drug use. However, these data do not take into consideration the effect an economic obstacle, such as a recession, could have on an individual’s urge to cope with this stressful period with illicit drugs. Furthermore, there is no research to suggest how clinicians and/or treatment institutions can forecast whether the use of monetary resources will be sustainable due to private and/or governmental fund reductions during an economic recession. Based on theories of social learning and social disorganization within an ecological framework, this study employed a quantitative trend analysis to explore the impact the 2007-2009 economic recession had on illicit drug use throughout the United States. A sample of respondents from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive from 2006 to 2010 surveys was used to run the statistical analysis. Based on the analyses, age and gender (covariates) and all variables (social disorganization and Gross Domestic Product) were found to be significant predictors of illicit drug use. Although methamphetamine was not significant for prevalence over time, total drug use, cocaine, and heroin were prevalent over time based on predictors. These findings suggest local, state, and federal policies regarding the prosecution and imprisonment of nonviolent and minor drug offenders should be reprioritized towards the rehabilitation of addicts while enforcing firmer laws upon the most disruptive and severe aspects of the drug trade in order to promote a genuine positive change towards social organization.Research suggests evidence of an association between sociodemographic determinants and illicit drug use. However, these data do not take into consideration the effect an economic obstacle, such as a recession, could have on an individual’s urge to cope with this stressful period with illicit drugs. Furthermore, there is no research to suggest how clinicians and/or treatment institutions can forecast whether the use of monetary resources will be sustainable due to private and/or governmental fund reductions during an economic recession. Based on theories of social learning and social disorganization within an ecological framework, this study employed a quantitative trend analysis to explore the impact the 2007-2009 economic recession had on illicit drug use throughout the United States. A sample of respondents from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive from 2006 to 2010 surveys was used to run the statistical analysis. Based on the analyses, age and gender (covariates) and all variables (social disorganization and Gross Domestic Product) were found to be significant predictors of illicit drug use. Although methamphetamine was not significant for prevalence over time, total drug use, cocaine, and heroin were prevalent over time based on predictors. These findings suggest local, state, and federal policies regarding the prosecution and imprisonment of nonviolent and minor drug offenders should be reprioritized towards the rehabilitation of addicts while enforcing firmer laws upon the most disruptive and severe aspects of the drug trade in order to promote a genuine positive change towards social organization. Determinants of Social Disorganization as Predictors of Illicit Drug Use During Recessionary Years by Daniel Kirk Westmoreland, Jr. MS, University of Phoenix, 2010 BA, Rollins College, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University October 2015 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my father, Dr. Daniel K. Westmoreland, Sr. Without his unconditional love and support; I would not have had the energy or the resources to complete this project. For this, I am forever indebted and thankful. Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank my committee chairperson Dr. Jay Greiner for his involvement in the dissertation process. Without his accessibility, patience, and advice, this project would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my committee methodologist Dr. Diana Jeffery. Her commitment and statistical knowledge were invaluable to the construction of this project. Lastly, I would like to thank my URR Dr. Rolande Murray. Her insightful comments and suggestions were an integral part of this project’s substance and organization. Research data presented in this paper was conducted for a project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, under Contract no. 283-2004-00022 and RTI Project no. 0209009. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.