“Sports Will Keep ‘Em Out Of Trouble”: A Comparative Analysis Of Substance Use Among Adolescents And Young Adults, David C. Lane, Whitney Decamp
Dec 2016
“Sports Will Keep ‘Em Out Of Trouble”: A Comparative Analysis Of Substance Use Among Adolescents And Young Adults, David C. Lane, Whitney Decamp
Whitney DeCamp
Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine cigarette, alcohol, marijuana, steroids, and other drug use among high school and college students in the state of Delaware. This builds on previous research examining the dynamics of substance use and sports participation.
Methods: The data come from the Delaware High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS-HS) and the College Risk Behaviors Study (CRBS), which are used to compare athletes and non-athletes. There were 7,781 high school students from the YRBS-HS and 4,019 college students from the CRBS in the sample.
Results: Findings indicate that participants in team sports at the …
Motivation Is Key: The Differing Predictors Of Adolescents’ Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Drugs, Whitney Decamp, James Herzig, Brooke O'Neil, Daniel J. O’Connell
Dec 2015
Motivation Is Key: The Differing Predictors Of Adolescents’ Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Drugs, Whitney Decamp, James Herzig, Brooke O'Neil, Daniel J. O’Connell
Whitney DeCamp
The concern over the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) has increased in recent years, as the public and substance use experts become increasingly aware of the high prevalence of such prescription drug use. Despite increased research in this area, little research has focused on the motivations for NMUPD. This is a noteworthy limitation, as recreational users may be quite different from those who are using prescription drugs without a prescription to treat a medical illness/condition. The present study uses data from over 11,000 eleventh grade students to model the predictors of NMUPD by motivation for using. Results indicate that …
Therapeutic Engagement As A Predictor Of Retention In Adolescent Tc Treatment, Sami Abdel-Salam, Whitney Decamp
Dec 2013
Therapeutic Engagement As A Predictor Of Retention In Adolescent Tc Treatment, Sami Abdel-Salam, Whitney Decamp
Whitney DeCamp
The adolescent drug problem places a huge toll on society and a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. Research regarding the benefits of therapeutic community treatment for adolescents has shown them to be effective. Despite the ability of therapeutic communities to lower drug relapse and reduce criminality, a great deal remains unknown in terms of how the process of treatment actually works for adolescents. Using data collected as part of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies – Adolescents, this study examines the relationship between therapeutic engagement and treatment retention. The primary findings are that measures of therapeutic engagement had …
Spirituality And Desistance From Substance Use Among Reentering Offenders, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp, Christy A. Visher
Dec 2013
Spirituality And Desistance From Substance Use Among Reentering Offenders, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp, Christy A. Visher
Whitney DeCamp
Prior research has indicated an inverse relationship between religion and criminal behavior, however few studies have specifically examined the effect of spirituality on the desistance process among a contemporary and diverse sample of reentering drug-involved offenders. A comprehensive understanding of how spirituality is related to desistance from substance use can lead to more effective and evidence-based preventive and rehabilitative interventions. Using data from a longitudinal study of 920 diverse offenders returning to the community after a period of incarceration, the current study examines three distinct forms of substance use (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) to gauge the effect that spirituality plays …
Therapeutic Engagement And Post-Treatment Substance Use In Adolescent Tc Clients: Direct And Indirect Effects, Whitney Decamp, Sami Abdel-Salam
Dec 2013
Therapeutic Engagement And Post-Treatment Substance Use In Adolescent Tc Clients: Direct And Indirect Effects, Whitney Decamp, Sami Abdel-Salam
Whitney DeCamp
The problem of adolescent drug use places a huge toll on society and a heavy burden on the criminal justice system. Despite the ability of therapeutic communities to lower drug relapse, a great deal remains unknown in terms of how the process of treatment actually works for adolescents. Using data collected as part of the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Studies – Adolescents, this study examines the direct and indirect relationship between therapeutic engagement and post-treatment substance use. Though there are few direct effects from therapeutic engagement on substance use, findings suggest that those more engaged in treatment are more likely …
Self-Treatment Vs. Recreational Motives: Differentiating Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Drugs Among Youth, Whitney Decamp, Erin J. Farley, Daniel J. O’Connell
Dec 2012
Self-Treatment Vs. Recreational Motives: Differentiating Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Drugs Among Youth, Whitney Decamp, Erin J. Farley, Daniel J. O’Connell
Whitney DeCamp
Nonmedical use of prescription drugs has become a serious social problem among American youth. Two general categories of motives for the nonmedical use of prescription drugs include self-treatment and recreational use. This study assesses differences between nonmedical prescription drug users based on their self-reported motivation for using prescription drugs. Data come from more than 11,000 11th grade students in Delaware public schools. Analyses indicate significant differences in prevalence, correlates, and consequences on nonmedical use of prescription drugs based on motivation for use. Analysis reveal that, among those students who reported non-medical use of prescription drugs, those who are using for …
Fatherhood, Community Reintegration, And Successful Outcomes, Christy A. Visher, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp
Dec 2012
Fatherhood, Community Reintegration, And Successful Outcomes, Christy A. Visher, Nicholas W. Bakken, Whitney Decamp
Whitney DeCamp
Prior research indicates that assuming family roles, such as parent or spouse, can aid in the transition from prison to the community and has been linked to positive outcomes after a period of confinement. Using data from a longitudinal study of men returning to the community after incarceration, this study examines how the relationship between fathers and their children immediately after release may impact aspects of fathers’ lives that are important to a successful reentry transition in the first year, such as employment, abstinence from substance abuse, and mental health. Analyses show that fathers who lived with children before incarceration …
Desisting From Prescription Drug Abuse: An Application Of Growth Models To Rx Opioid Users, Whitney Decamp, Steven P. Kurtz, Nicholas W. Bakken, Daniel J. O’Connell
Dec 2011
Desisting From Prescription Drug Abuse: An Application Of Growth Models To Rx Opioid Users, Whitney Decamp, Steven P. Kurtz, Nicholas W. Bakken, Daniel J. O’Connell
Whitney DeCamp
Modern desistance research has examined many facets of desistance, both in terms of theoretical predictors of desistance and recidivism, and in terms of differing types of offending. Though predicting desistance from illegal drug use is among these topics, no research to date has examined the predictors of desisting from prescription opioid abuse. This study uses longitudinal data from 318 prescription opioid users to analyze the effects of various predictors of desistance on declining nonmedical prescription opioid use, with an emphasis on gender differences among participants. Results indicate theoretical and demographic characteristics correspond with differing rates of decline and further vary …
Predicting Feelings Of School Safety For Lower, Middle, And Upper School Students: A Gender Specific Analysis, Ronet Bachman, Whitney Decamp, Nicholas W. Bakken
Dec 2010
Predicting Feelings Of School Safety For Lower, Middle, And Upper School Students: A Gender Specific Analysis, Ronet Bachman, Whitney Decamp, Nicholas W. Bakken
Whitney DeCamp
Though the literature is making advances in the study of fear for the general population, we still know very little about adolescent’s perceptions of fear in the school setting. Moreover, the existing literature has primarily examined fear among older adolescents, and has not provided gender-sensitive analyses when exploring the factors related to fear. In this paper, we examine both the individual and contextual factors that predict male and female students’ feelings of safety for 5th, 8th, and 11th graders who attend public schools in the state of Delaware. Previous victimization experiences were the most consistent predictor of fear for all …
