A longitudinal study of preadolescent and adolescent substance use: Within-individual patterns and protective factors

Abstract

Background/Objective Substance use is one of the main risks for adolescent health. Many research projects have studied longitudinal patterns of use and risk/protective factors, but the number of studies focused on within-individual stability and change is low. The objective of this study was to discover specific longitudinal profiles of drug use and explore the role of social and emotional competencies, and empathy as possible protective factors against substance use. Method: This was a longitudinal study with 879 students (9-17 years at wave 1, 10-18 at wave 2). Substance use, social and emotional competencies, and empathy were measured with a survey. Results: Nine longitudinal profiles of substance use were found in this sample. Multinomial regression analysis found that low responsible decision making, self-management and affective empathy predicted the profiles of ascending user, chronic user and experiencer, respectively. Experiencer was also predicted by a low level of social awareness. Conclusions: The trend to a higher use over time can increase the odds of addiction in future. Some personal variables were found as protective factors against drug use. Thus, school interventions addressed to promote social and emotional competencies, and empathy seem necessary in order to decrease the adolescent drug use.

Beliefs About Cannabis Use Among Male and Female Andalusian Adolescents

“…Our results show that the scores of girls and boys on self-efficacy and coping plans do not differ and thus do not need a more targeted approach. Yet, international and national studies have shown the importance of self-efficacy and coping plans in the prevention of cannabis use in young people [36][37][38]. Thus, it would be recommended to focus the cannabis use prevention presentations on helping adolescents develop action skills and planning how to reject the offer of cannabis use (e.g., through role-play, and simulations), especially in boys, who are the ones who reported having the greatest intention to use in the future.…”

Adolescent Compliance with anti-COVID Measures. Is It Related to Substance Use?

“…Moreover, families should supervise their adolescent children, so they are not involved in substance use, especially during the pandemic. Although it is not allowed to sell alcohol and tobacco to minors in Spain, substance use in adolescents is common (Rodríguez-Ruiz et al, 2021). Many adolescents reported noncompliance with COVID-19 measures.…”

Las competencias socioemocionales y morales del profesorado de Educación Infantil a Educación Secundaria

“…Las competencias socioemocionales del alumnado se relacionan con un mayor desarrollo de sus competencias académicas, como la competencia en comunicación lingüística (Llorent, González-Gómez et al, 2020). Además, las competencias socioemocionales protegen a los adolescentes ante conductas antisociales, en el contexto offline y online, tales como consumo de sustancias (Rodríguez-Ruiz et al, 2021), bullying (Coelho y Marchante, 2021;Zych, Beltrán-Catalán et al, 2018), cyberbullying (Eden et al, 2016;Marín-López et al, 2020) y comportamientos violentos en general (Espejo-Siles et al, 2020;Nasaescu et al, 2021).…”