Date of Award

12-2000

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Sociology

Abstract

National and regional substance use studies suggest that college students are frequent users of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. This study examines substance use at UND, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, examining the predictive power of Hirschi’s social control theory in response to collegiate substance use. This research will provide a profile of student activities and beliefs associated with use or non-use, as well as the prevalence of use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

Three focus groups were used to increase reliability and validity of the sample before a quantitative self-administered survey was administered to a convenient sample of students. Results indicate that Hirschi’s theory as operational zed in this study; attachment to parents, commitment to education, involvement in activities and belief in society’s rules were found to be good predictors of collegiate substance use. As a student’s bond to society increases (or bonds to conventional activities increases), they are less likely to use drugs, either legal or illegal.

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