A comparison of risk and protective factors in general population and incarcerated population for substance use

Purpose: To compare risk and protective factors that influence substance use in general population and incarcerated population. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use (NSDU) of both general population (n=2,500) and incarcerated population (n=1,479) from Korea. Chi-square tests, t-tests, effect size comparisons, and logistic regression analyses that accounted for age and gender were used to investigate similarities and differences in: (a) rates of cigarette, alcohol, and substance use; (b) levels of risk and protective factors; and (c) magnitudes of associations between risk and protective factors and substance use. Results: More individuals in general population reported using cigarettes and alcohol, whereas more of the incarcerated population reported using substance. Exposure to risk and protective factors was generally similar in both populations. However, individuals in general population perceived substance use to be more readily available and were higher in risk-seeking behavior and lower self control; and individuals in incarcerated population had more favorable attitudes toward substance use and reported perceiving less barrier to substance use. Most of the risk and protective factors were strongly associated with substance use to a similar degree in both populations. However, among incarcerated population peer/individual risk and protective factors associated with social detachment were more strongly related to substance use, and among individuals in general population, while peer/individual risk factors were strongly related, family protective factors were less strongly related to substance use. Conclusions: Existing differences suggest that different intervention strategies are needed to prevent substance use for both populations.