Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study
Young drug users are found to be increasingly involved in criminal justice issues. This exploratory and descriptive study aims to analyze the criminal behaviors among young Chinese drug users through a mixed methods research design. Quantitative analysis indicates that young drug users with and with...
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doaj-85e36a134141457e89cd02ad3ce4b4922020-11-24T22:18:17ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1660-46012018-03-0115343210.3390/ijerph15030432ijerph15030432Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods StudyLiu Liu0Wing Hong Chui1Ye Chen2School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, No. 163, Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, ChinaDepartment of Applied Social Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ChinaSchool of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, No. 163, Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, ChinaYoung drug users are found to be increasingly involved in criminal justice issues. This exploratory and descriptive study aims to analyze the criminal behaviors among young Chinese drug users through a mixed methods research design. Quantitative analysis indicates that young drug users with and without a history of criminality show significant differences in terms of several features. Male drug users, particularly, those who are older, with religious beliefs, and initiated into drug use at younger age were most likely to commit crimes. Among drug users with criminal experiences, those who committed crimes prior to drug initiation have a greater likelihood of committing violent crimes. Furthermore, young drug users with severe depression are more likely to commit crimes, especially violent ones. Qualitative analysis further illustrates that young male drug users often get involved in criminal conduct of the youth gang nature with propensity for engaging in violent crimes as compared to their female counterparts who are more likely to turn into drug dealers and traffickers, in addition to engaging in larceny. The research findings are consistent with developmental theories and “victim to offender cycle”. Integrated mental health and substance use services are suggested for crime prevention among young Chinese drug users.http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/3/432young Chinese drug usersmixed methodscriminal experienceviolencemental health |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Liu Liu Wing Hong Chui Ye Chen |
spellingShingle |
Liu Liu Wing Hong Chui Ye Chen Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health young Chinese drug users mixed methods criminal experience violence mental health |
author_facet |
Liu Liu Wing Hong Chui Ye Chen |
author_sort |
Liu Liu |
title |
Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study |
title_short |
Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study |
title_full |
Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study |
title_fullStr |
Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Violent and Non-Violent Criminal Behavior among Young Chinese Drug Users: A Mixed Methods Study |
title_sort |
violent and non-violent criminal behavior among young chinese drug users: a mixed methods study |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2018-03-01 |
description |
Young drug users are found to be increasingly involved in criminal justice issues. This exploratory and descriptive study aims to analyze the criminal behaviors among young Chinese drug users through a mixed methods research design. Quantitative analysis indicates that young drug users with and without a history of criminality show significant differences in terms of several features. Male drug users, particularly, those who are older, with religious beliefs, and initiated into drug use at younger age were most likely to commit crimes. Among drug users with criminal experiences, those who committed crimes prior to drug initiation have a greater likelihood of committing violent crimes. Furthermore, young drug users with severe depression are more likely to commit crimes, especially violent ones. Qualitative analysis further illustrates that young male drug users often get involved in criminal conduct of the youth gang nature with propensity for engaging in violent crimes as compared to their female counterparts who are more likely to turn into drug dealers and traffickers, in addition to engaging in larceny. The research findings are consistent with developmental theories and “victim to offender cycle”. Integrated mental health and substance use services are suggested for crime prevention among young Chinese drug users. |
topic |
young Chinese drug users mixed methods criminal experience violence mental health |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/3/432 |
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