Underage Drinking in America: An Explanation through the Lens of the General Theory of Crime

Abstract

Despite the high rate of drinking among adolescents and its negative consequences, studies regarding causality of drinking behaviors have been under-examined. Regarding causal factors of underage drinking, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime provided a useful theoretical frame. Using the data set of “Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth,” this study conducted multiple regression analyses with the selected sample data set of 4,626. The results indicated that adolescents with a lower self-control were more likely to drink than those with a high self-control. Furthermore, opportunity (i.e., accessibility of alcohol and drinking peers) was a strong predictor of underage drinking. Particularly, this study found a significant effect of the interaction between low self-control and opportunity on drinking among American youth. Thus, this study strongly supports the general theory of crime as well as provides an approach to reduce underage drinking in America.