(PS1-32) Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Drug Use and Criminality

Introduction

Approximately 19% of young adults aged 18 to 25 have had a drug use disorder in the past year (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023). The prevalence of drug use disorders is relatively consistent between genders, with an occurrence rate of 19.5% in men and 17.8% in women (SAMHSA, 2023). Despite this similarity, prior research has underscored the difference between men and women who have drug use disorders.  For example, research suggests that women with drug use disorders suffer from more severe functional impairment, particularly related to employment, family, and medicine (McHugh et al., 2018). The current study aims to build off this gender specific research by examining whether the relationship between drug use and criminality differs across men and women.

Method

Young adult participants (52% female, 34% nonwhite, M_age = 25.89 years) completed the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (Berman et al., 2007) and the Crime and Violence Scale, which measured both property crime and interpersonal violence (Dennis et al., 2006). Participants were selected if they had a drug use score greater than zero, resulting in a sample of 83. Using this data, we ran a series of correlational analyses to examine gender differences in the relationship between drug use and criminality.

Results

Among all participants, analysis revealed that problematic drug use correlated with overall criminality, (r(82) = .25, p = .02), and interpersonal violence (r(81) = .30, p = .01), but not with property crime, (r(82) = .17, p = .13). Subgroups analysis revealed a similar pattern within female participants, as problematic drug use correlated with overall criminality, (r(40) = .33, p = .04), and interpersonal violence (r(40) = .31, p = .045), but not with property crime, (r(40) = .27, p = .08). Interestingly, within male participants, problematic drug use did not correlate with overall criminality, (r(38) = .17, p = .30), interpersonal violence (r(37) = .30, p = .06), or property crime, (r(38) = .05, p = .77).

Discussion

The relationship between problematic drug use and criminality differs between men and women, such that women with problematic drug use are more likely than men with problematic drug use to engage in criminal behavior. These results provide valuable gender-specific insight into the relationship between drug use and criminality. They suggest that there should be an increased emphasis on collectively screening for both drug use and criminal behavior, particularly among women. This collective screening would allow for a more comprehensive and individualized approach to treatment. Future research should identify other factors that may be linked to criminal behavior. This research would contribute to a comprehensive model of factors that contribute to criminal behavior, which would reduce crime and increase public safety.