Risk and protective factors for adolescents’ illicit drug use: A population-based study

Posted on 2018-04-04 - 12:00
Objective:

The use of illicit drugs by adolescents is a widespread problem in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to identify risk and protective factors.

Design:

Web-based survey of high school students.

Setting:

Senior high schools and vocational high schools in northern Taiwan.

Method:

Survey data were collected from 15,754 students. Logistic regression analysis examined potential risk and protective factors in individual, family and peer/school domains for lifetime, past-year and past-month illicit drug use and the single and/or multiple use of ketamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and marijuana.

Results:

The prevalence rates of illicit drug use varied from 1.18% to 2.19% by frequency and type of illicit drug use. Perceived availability of illicit drugs, betel nut chewing, drug use by a family member, peer drug use, missing classes and type of school were significant risk factors in lifetime, past-year and past-month use. Sensation seeking, family member and peer drug use were common factors in ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and marijuana use. Drug use by a family member increased the risk of multiple drug use. Smoking was a risk factor for ketamine use. Drug-related knowledge was a protective factor.

Conclusions:

These findings support the idea that there exist multilevel risk and protective factors for drug use, especially in the family and peer/school domains. School-based interventions should be designed to integrate different levels of risk and protective factors.

CITE THIS COLLECTION

Liao, Jung-Yu; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Tzu-Chi Lee, Charles; Hsu, Hsiao-Pei; Chang, Chiu-Ching; Chuang, Che-Jen; et al. (2018): Risk and protective factors for adolescents’ illicit drug use: A population-based study. SAGE Journals. Collection. https://doi.org/10.25384/SAGE.c.4060157.v1
or
Select your citation style and then place your mouse over the citation text to select it.

SHARE

email
need help?