Role strain and illicit drug use: The moderating influence of commitment to conventional values

The hypothesized relationships between strain associated with marital/parental/ single roles and illicit drug use and commitment to conventionality as a moderating variable of the role strain-drug use relationship were estimated using white Anglo respondents who were interviewed as young adults. Multiple regression analyses indicate that individuals who are married/in long-term relationships and who have children living with them are least likely to use illicit drugs, whereas those who are single and have no children living with them are most likely to use drugs. Moreover, individuals who experience strain associated with marriage, parenthood, or single status are more likely to use illicit drugs only when they are committed to conventional values. The moderating influences of commitment to conventionality are consistent with the contention that individuals who experience role strain and are simultaneously committed to conventionality may find failure in valued social roles more distressing and that use of drugs may serve as a private and less disruptive stress-reduction mechanism.