Psychosocial predictors of substance abuse among adolescents

[摘要] English: A review of the literature indicates that the etiology of substance abuse amongstadolescents is still largely unclear. It is, however, generally accepted that thecause is usually not due to a single variable, but rather to a complex interactionbetween intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. The goal of this study was todetermine whether there is a difference between substance-abusing adolescentsand non-using adolescents with regard to the mentioned factors. A multiculturalgroup of 302 Grade 11 learners completed questionnaires to assess thesecharacteristics: a biographical questionnaire, the NEO Personality Inventory, theAdolescent SASSI-A2 and the Fortitude Scale. The various characteristics ofthese adolescents were compared concerning the three levels of substance use,namely low probability of use, abuse and dependence on substances. Significantdifferences in the mean scores concerning agreeableness, conscientiousness,setï-eppreiset, family support and general social support in the three levels ofsubstance use groups were found. The results are discussed, the shortcomings ofthe study indicated and recommendations made.

[发布机构] University of the Free State