Citation

Hoopsick RA, Vest BM, Homish DL, Homish GG. Stress Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/smi.2934

PMID

31999055

Abstract

The effects of negative social interactions/experiences on substance use have largely been studied in civilian populations, but less is known about United States Army Reserve/National Guard (USAR/NG) soldiers - a high risk group. We examined the associations between problems with social acceptance, social victimization and substance use among USAR/NG soldiers, and examined potential differences by deployment history. The sample consisted of soldiers who completed baseline and 1-year follow-up assessments (N = 445) of Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing study of USAR/NG soldiers. We examined the effects of baseline problems with social acceptance/social victimization on nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), illicit drug use, frequent heavy drinking (FHD), and alcohol problems at follow-up. Significant effects were small in magnitude, but consistent in direction. Greater problems with social acceptance were associated with higher odds of NMUPD and illicit drug use. Greater social victimization was associated with higher odds of NMUPD and illicit drug use. There were no differences by deployment history. Problems with social acceptance/social victimization were not associated with FHD or alcohol problems. Problems with social acceptance/social victimization may contribute to drug use among USAR/NG soldiers. Intervention programs should address social issues, regardless of deployment history. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol use; drug use; military; social acceptance; social victimization