Drug Taking Beliefs of Australian Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Abstract

In this study adolescents offered their insights and perspectives of factors associated with adolescent illicit drug taking intentions. The factors explored were identified using a cross-disciplinary approach involving the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and criminological theories, and these formed the framework for data analysis. Interviews with 24 students aged 15-17 found that adolescents' beliefs to drug taking attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, moral norms, negative affect, and reputation enhancement involved a number a sub-themes that provided an in-depth understanding of the association of these components to intended drug use. The incorporation of these elements in drug education programs could be an effective approach in prevention interventions for adolescent drug use.

Adolescents, parents and teachers’ perceptions of risk and protective factors of substance use in Moroccan adolescents: a qualitative study

“…Children who grow up with parents or siblings who use drugs may model behaviors and attitudes regarding substance use; through social learning processes of parental acceptance, the likelihood of substance use initiation and continuation is increased [ 45 ]. In contrast, and similar to other studies [ 19 , 30 , 37 , 42 , 43 ], we found that family beliefs against drug use are effective in preventing substance use in adolescents. Such results support the strong association between parental bonding and substance use in Moroccan adolescents from quantitative findings (unpublished data).…”

“…At the individual level, the theme of perceived benefits of substance use (reflecting beliefs on the beneficial effects of substances, including cannabis, cigarettes, and edible cannabis products) was consistent with previous qualitative investigations [ 14 , 30 ]. This theme comprised two sub-themes: personal positive appeals and escape negative states.…”

“…This theme comprised two sub-themes: personal positive appeals and escape negative states. The personal positive appeal sub-theme includes boosting self-image, having fun, experimentation, and other normal adolescent behaviors [ 2 , 30 ]. Perceived benefits can also include financial ones.…”

“…The second sub-theme, escape of negative states, reflects the use of drugs to flee undesirable situations, especially those caused by psychological and family problems [ 14 , 30 , 33 ]. Substance use can be coupled with psychological problems, including suicidal ideation in Moroccan adolescents [ 34 ].…”

“…Participants in our study emphasized that peers can either increase or decrease substance use among adolescents. As already documented, student drug users generally seek to attract other people to use substances in schools; under this pressure, adolescents may use substances to fit in with peers [ 14 , 19 , 30 , 46 ]. Furthermore, as reported in a previous quantitative study (unpublished data), there is a strong association between substance use in adolescents and substance use behaviors of their friends.…”