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The Association between Substance Abuse and Sexual Misconduct among Macau Youths

Author

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  • T. Wing Lo

    (Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • John W. L. Tse

    (Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Christopher H. K. Cheng

    (Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Gloria H. Y. Chan

    (School of Social Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

This study investigates how peer influence, school attachment, and substance abuse are related to sexual behavior, with particular interest in exploring the relationship between substance abuse and sexual misconduct, while using a stratified random sample of adolescents in Macau. Mediation analyses were employed. The results show that substance abuse, apart from susceptibility to peer influence and school attachment/commitment, was significantly related to sexual misconduct. Substance abuse was the best predictor of sexual misconduct, and it significantly mediated the relationship between susceptibility to peer influence, as well as school attachment and sexual misconduct. This reflects that the use of substances, including drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, can be viewed as a catalyst for triggering engagement in sexual misconduct. The implications of this study involve taking measures to reduce the rate of substance abuse as a way of decreasing sexual misconduct in adolescents. Future research directions in exploring the relationship between adolescent substance abuse and risky sexual behavior are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • T. Wing Lo & John W. L. Tse & Christopher H. K. Cheng & Gloria H. Y. Chan, 2019. "The Association between Substance Abuse and Sexual Misconduct among Macau Youths," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1643-:d:230240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Ritchwood, Tiarney D. & Ford, Haley & DeCoster, Jamie & Sutton, Marnie & Lochman, John E., 2015. "Risky sexual behavior and substance use among adolescents: A meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 74-88.
    7. Joseph J. Sabia, 2007. "Early Adolescent Sex and Diminished School Attachment: Selection or Spillovers?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 74(1), pages 239-268, July.
    8. Hellerstedt, W.L. & Peterson-Hickey, M. & Rhodes, K.L. & Garwick, A., 2006. "Environmental, social, and personal correlates of having ever had sexual intercourse among American Indian youths," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(12), pages 2228-2234.
    9. T. Wing Lo & Christopher H. K. Cheng, 2018. "Predicting Effects of the Self and Contextual Factors on Violence: A Comparison between School Students and Youth Offenders in Macau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, February.
    10. Spencer D. Li & Xiaohua Zhang & Wei Tang & Yiwei Xia, 2017. "Predictors and Implications of Synthetic Drug Use Among Adolescents in the Gambling Capital of China," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(4), pages 21582440177, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. T. Wing Lo & Jerf W. K. Yeung & Cherry H. L. Tam, 2020. "Substance Abuse and Public Health: A Multilevel Perspective and Multiple Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-7, April.
    2. T. Wing Lo & Jerf W. K. Yeung & Gabriel K. W. Lee & Cherry H. L. Tam & Gloria H. Y. Chan, 2020. "Drugs as Soulmates: The Construction and Validation of a 12-Item Soulmate Scale to Measure Substance Addiction and Loneliness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Gloria H. Y. Chan & T. Wing Lo & Cherry H. L. Tam & Gabriel K. W. Lee, 2019. "Intrinsic Motivation and Psychological Connectedness to Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation: The Perspective of Self-Determination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, May.

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