Self-reported antecedents and consequences of female heroin use.
Item
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Title
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Self-reported antecedents and consequences of female heroin use.
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Identifier
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AAI3187429
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identifier
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3187429
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Creator
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Spanjol, Kimberly L.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Larry E. Sullivan
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Date
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2005
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Criminology and Penology | Psychology, Behavioral | Women's Studies | Health Sciences, Public Health
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Abstract
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A secondary data analysis was performed on ethnographic data originally collected for a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded study that examined heroin use in the 21st century. This qualitative study uses principles developed from behavior analytic theory to analyze interviews with 42 diverse women who were predominantly active, regular heroin users. Self-reported antecedents and consequences of heroin use were extracted from detailed narratives of the women's lives. Data indicated that race, class, frequency, quantity and duration of use as well as route of administration mediated the antecedents and consequences women experienced surrounding their heroin use. Heroin served multiple functions for the women in the study, including escape (from personal traumas, depression, anxiety, oppression, sexism, racism, and role dissatisfaction) and enjoyment/excitement. Heroin was both positively reinforcing (fun, empowering, euphoric) and negatively reinforcing (temporarily removing aversive antecedents to use). Antecedent stimulus that elicited heroin use became generalized, and women's use increased. Aversive aspects of heroin use were mostly delayed, and eventually compounded with women's initial difficulties that preceded use. Aversive consequences (both punishment by contingent stimulation and punishment by contingent withdrawal) over time typically outweighed reinforcing consequences, and women sought treatment. Effects of long-term addiction, limited resources and lack of comprehensive treatment rendered attempts largely ineffective. Women blamed themselves for their failure. Self-blame and shame surrounding failure became an additional antecedent to continued use. Access to reinforcement for activities other than heroin use diminished as use persisted and increased over time. Heroin use became the women's primary source of reinforcement.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
