Personality Factors, Perceived Parenting Styles as Predictors of Substance Use Among University Students

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between drug usage and teenagers' perceptions of their parents' parenting styles. Specifically, the study aimed to examine how different parenting styles influence adolescents' propensity for drug use. Methodology: Data for this study was collected from 230 students attending three different universities in the area. Qualitative research methods were employed, utilizing a Biographical Questionnaire, the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) to measure drug use, and the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) to assess students' perceptions of their parents' authority. Results/Findings: The findings revealed that adolescents with lower levels of drug use tended to perceive their parents asAuthoritative. However, neither authoritarian nor permissive parenting styles showed significant associations with drug use outcomes. Additionally, a notable gender difference was observed, with males demonstrating higher rates of drug consumption compared to females. Future Research Direction: More study should examine the processes relating parenting styles to teenage drug use. Peer, socioeconomic, and cultural factors may moderate the association between parenting methods and drug use, thus studies should examine these. Additionally, interventions to improve parental education and knowledge of adolescent drug usage prevention measures should be created and tested to reduce juvenile substance use