Some Factors Associated with Substance Abuse among Secondary School Students in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate factors associated with involvement in substance abuse in Trinidad and Tobago, through a survey of 1603 secondary school students, aged fourteen to eighteen years. Analysis of the data using the Chi-square test indicates a significant association (p < .001) between involvement in substance abuse and the following factors: grades at school, importance of religious involvement, amount of spending money obtained, confidence placed in parents/peers, parental involvement in alcohol consumption and educational expectations. Generally, the study indicates that youth less committed to traditional values, show a greater tendency to be involved in substance abuse. Involvement also appears to be associated with low self esteem and low educational expectations.

Fatores associados ao uso de drogas entre adolescentes escolares

“…Studies in other countries have shown associations between money availability and drug use. 12,16 There was a linear increase in the prevalence of drug use with age, but no significant differences with respect to sex. Consumption differences between boys and girls appear when different substances are evaluated in separate, but disappear when drugs are grouped.…”

“…Drug and alcohol use by parents were also identified as predictive factors in other studies. 12,16 The fact of having a drug user at home may already be an indicator of family disorders predisposing to drug use. Moreover, the greater proportion of addicts in certain families may suggest an effect of genetic factors on modulating susceptibility to addiction.…”

“…Other studies have also identified religious practice as a protective factor. 12, 16 Aberastury & Knobel 1 report that it is during adolescence that one begins to face the ultimate separation from ones parents, and the acceptation of the possibility of their death, thus the need to identify with greatly idealized images, able to ensure the continuity of existence. Greater religious involvement may contribute to reinforce feelings of hope and security concerning the future, rendering teenagers less inclined to become involved with substance abuse.…”

“…In addition to sociodemographic factors (sex, age, social class), studies indicate associations between drug use and parental or familiar involvement with alcohol or drugs, not being raised by both parents, low perception of maternal and paternal support, absence of religious practice, and lesser frequency of sports practice. 7,12,13,16 Protective factors include trust in parents and peers, religious involvement (participation in youth groups, trust in religious advisers , belief in God, and ability to pray ), educational expectations (being considered as intelligent, being among the best students in class), and having less conflicts and divorce attempts in the family. 14,16 The Brazilian literature highlights especially the importance of sociodemographic factors, which are the subject of most studies.…”

“…7,12,13,16 Protective factors include trust in parents and peers, religious involvement (participation in youth groups, trust in religious advisers , belief in God, and ability to pray ), educational expectations (being considered as intelligent, being among the best students in class), and having less conflicts and divorce attempts in the family. 14,16 The Brazilian literature highlights especially the importance of sociodemographic factors, which are the subject of most studies. 10,11,17,18 In addition to these factors, Carvalho et al, 6 in a national sample of students, identified domestic violence and the quality of family relationships as important factors related to drug use, while Baus et al 3 found an association between drug use and parents' divorce and not living with parents.…”