Psychotropic substance abuse among adolescents : A structural equation model on risk and protective factors

The use of psychotropic substances in adolescents represents a serious public health problem. In this study a representative sample of 485 Austrian students between 14 and 18 years of age were investigated with a semistructured interview about substance-related issues and completed the general healt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Substance use & misuse 2006-01, Vol.41 (8), p.1155-1169
Main Authors: RUMPOLD, Gerhard, KLINGSEIS, Michael, DORNAUER, Kurt, KOPP, Martin, DOERING, Stephan, HÖFER, Stefan, MUMELTER, Birgit, SCHÜBLER, Gerhard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Addictive behaviors
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Attitude to Health
Austria - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Catchment Area (Health)
Cognition
Comorbidity
Demography
Drinking
Drug addiction
Drugs
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Health Status
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Disorders - epidemiology
Prevalence
Psychoanalysis
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychotropic Drugs
Risk Factors
Street Drugs
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tobacco
Toxicology
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Summary:The use of psychotropic substances in adolescents represents a serious public health problem. In this study a representative sample of 485 Austrian students between 14 and 18 years of age were investigated with a semistructured interview about substance-related issues and completed the general health questionnaire. The following rates of regular psychotropic substance use were found: cigarettes 41.4%, alcohol 44.5%, cannabis 10.1%, and other illicit substances 3%. Logistic regression analyses and structural equation modeling revealed the following major risk factors for substance use: peer pressure, negative family atmosphere, school difficulties, and psychopathology. Knowledge about substance use acted as a protective factor. Prevention of adolescent substance use and misuse should aim at these different targets. Information about coping with peer pressure may be a particularly promising route of intervention.
ISSN:1082-6084
DOI:10.1080/10826080600752136