A Factor Analytic Study of Motivations for Drug Use,
Abstract
Factor analysis was used to delineate the most important motivational patterns associated with drug use in a population of Navy enlisted men (N = 664) under-going drug rehabilitation. Ss indicated which of 31 reasons for drug use were associated with various drugs and similarly which of 39 risks were perceived in using the same drugs. Four factors, representing major need dimensions, emerged from the analysis of reasons; these were labeled Insight, Therapy, Sentience, and Pleasure. The Insight factor was the largest and embodied a general concept of seeking meaning and self-fulfillment. Sentience, which is often lumped together with the insight concept in discussion of motives for drug use, was clearly defined as a separate dimension. Four risk factors, labeled Psychiatric Problems, Social Problems, Sexual Problems, and Medical Problems, meaningfully described major complications or side-effects of drug use. The findings suggest a number of hypotheses pertaining to interrelationships among patterns of motives for drug use, perceived risks, choice of drugs, and actual drug use behavior. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA037320
Entities
People
- D. Kolb
- E. K. E. Gunderson
- M. C. Butler
- R. L. Nail
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center