Risk Perception Related To (Il)licit Substance Use and Attitudes Towards Its' Use and Legalization – the Role of Age, Gender and Substance Use

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the role of age, gender and tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use in relation to different aspects of attitudes toward (il)licit substance use. Differences in risk perception and attitudes toward substance use were assessed between groups of active substance users, ex-substance users, and non-substance users with regard to their age and gender. Respondents generally associated moderate risk with using tobacco/alcohol/marijuana and large risk with using ecstasy/cocaine/ heroin, and they disapproved their use and legalization. Positive correlation was found between the consumption of different substances, and also between respondents' opinions on substance criminalization, perception of risk associated with substance use, and (il)licit substance use disapproval. Females and older respondents typically used (il)licit substances less and were more prone toward marijuana and heroin criminalization, substance use disapproval, and associated greater risk with substance use. Active users of any substance generally held the most permissive attitudes. The strongest effect of alcohol and tobacco use on attitudes was found among the youngest respondents, and the weakest among the oldest, which indicates the need for interventions to be focused even more on the younger population.

Age and gender differences in health risk perception

“…It is plausible to explain that gender differences in risk perception could be at least partially attributed to gender socialization (24), the fact that women have less power and control (25). In other words, males are typically assumed to frequently experiment various risk behaviours compared to females due to traditional social role and more conforming behaviour in our society (26), In addition, it is well known that adult women are more aware of health warnings associated with various health risks and use health services more than men (27). Given this level of interest and awareness in health, it may be reasonable to suggest that females have every reason to perceive unrealistically.…”

ELSA 2016 Cohort: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Use and Their Association with Age of Drug Use Onset, Risk Perception, and Social Norms in Argentinean College Freshmen

“…The perceived risk that is associated with the use of psychoactive substances is one such factor ( Johnston et al, 2015 ). Drugs that are perceived as more dangerous, such as heroin, are less commonly used than those that are perceived as less dangerous, such as marijuana ( Maričič, 2013 ; SEDRONAR, 2014 ). The perceived risk that is associated with marijuana use distinguished between college students who used marijuana from those who did not ( Kilmer et al, 2007 ; Lopez-Quintero et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Risk perception is modulated by sex ( Petronella-Croisant et al, 2013 ) and the frequency of drug use ( Thornton et al, 2013 ). Women perceived the use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use as riskier compared with men ( Maričič, 2013 ; Petronella-Croisant et al, 2013 ), although both sexes had a similar level of risk perception for cocaine and heroin use ( Petronella-Croisant et al, 2013 ). Occasional consumption is perceived as less risky than regular consumption, which in turn is rated as less risky than daily use ( Thornton et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Despite recent attempts to foster the visibility of women in epidemiological and basic research ( McCullough et al, 2014 ), most studies continue to equate the role of different risk factors across these populations. Men perceive less risk associated with substance use compared with women ( Alvarado et al, 2013 ; Maričič, 2013 ; Petronella-Croisant et al, 2013 ), which may be one explanation for their greater use of substances ( Pilatti et al, 2014 ). Sex-related differences in AU, however, appear to be shrinking ( Balodis et al, 2009 ; Grucza et al, 2009 ; Keyes et al, 2011 ), although they still persist for heavy drinking.…”

Influences of Migrant Construction Workers’ Environmental Risk Perception on Their Physical and Mental Health: Evidence from China

“…Previous studies found that women have more awareness and perception of health-related warning signs and use health services more frequently than men to maintain their health [ 82 , 83 ]. However, why the most ERP of female migrant construction workers do not significantly influence their physical or mental health in this paper?…”