How can today’s substance-using youth be helped to quit? Perspectives of college students from Bangalore, India

Abstract

Background: Substance use among college students is increasing, yet research regarding their viewpoints on how they can be helped is sparse in India. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore in depth the perspectives of college students as to how college youth can be helped to quit the use of psychoactive substances. Method: Data from focus group interviews with 38 adolescent college students were analyzed qualitatively to identify their viewpoints on how today’s college youth can be helped to quit substance use. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, themes and subthemes were identified. Results: Three major themes (with subthemes) were identified: (1) Patterns of use (commonly used substances, methods of using), (2) Perceived reasons for use (to reduce negative emotions, academic pressure, peer influence, more freedom, rebellious attitudes, media influence, modeling effect, childhood trauma, distrust from family/friends, lack of knowledge regarding the adverse impact of substances, poor life skills, cultural gender-based discrimination) and (3) Interventions needed to help college youth to quit substance use (need for interventions, basic principles to follow when developing interventions, content to be included, methods to be employed for delivering the intervention). Conclusion: The information from this study can guide the development of a comprehensive intervention that is relevant and tailor-made to the specific needs of the college student population.

Stigma associated with mental health problems among young people in India: a systematic review of magnitude, manifestations and recommendations

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Effects of Social Attachment on Experimental Drug Use From Childhood to Adolescence: An 11-Year Prospective Cohort Study

“…A qualitative study of 38 adolescents using focus interviews found that academic pressure is a major source of stress. These adolescents attempted to relieve stress by using substances, especially when they felt that they could not succeed ( 73 ). Furthermore, with decreased parental supervision and increased autonomy, a small number of students who enter university may exhibit more participation in high-risk behaviors such as drug use ( 74 , 75 ).…”

Development and pilot-testing of a skill-based intervention to prevent psychoactive substance use among college students

“…(b) Focus group discussions (FGDs) with college students: The development of the skill-based intervention was heavily informed by the results of FGDs which we conducted earlier with college students. [ 9 ]…”

“…The college students who participated in the FGDs[ 9 ] were invited to participate in the pilot-testing of the intervention, since their inputs had been instrumental in its development. Twenty-three of the original 38 college students agreed.…”

“…We developed the skill-based intervention following focus group discussions with college students to assess their needs,[ 9 ] and pilot-tested the intervention among the students. The aim of the skill-based intervention was to provide established medical facts, along with required strategies to prevent or quit use, so that college youth have the right information to make informed decisions which support their health, safety, and well-being.…”