Three Dimensions of Youth Social Capital and Their Impacts on Substance Use

Illicit drug use in English adolescent students–result of cumulative mediation analyses

“…We also now know that the social environment comprises a dynamic set of interactions between the environment and the individual factors such as age and gender (Bandura & Walters, 1977;Griffin & Botvin, 2010;Sutherland & Shepherd, 2001a, 2001bUnlu et al, 2014;Verrill, 2005;Vogel et al, 2015;Whitesell et al, 2014;Winfree & Bernat, 1998). These interactions form social networks of parents, children, peers, etc., which according to Baler and Volkow (2011) are modulators of gene expression, cognition, emotion and brain function and development.…”

The Effect of Muslim Religiosity on Youth Delinquency

“…On the other hand, individuals learn the motives for and techniques of deviant behavior through interaction with others (Sutherland, 1947). Examining the relation between social capital and substance use, Unlu et al (2014) found empirical evidence supporting the importance of peer influence in adolescents' deviant behavior.…”

“…Unlu et al (2014) found a strong relation between peer influence and adolescent deviance and indicated that adolescents having friends who use substances are more likely to use substances themselves. Thus, a religious social environment may exert intensified social control that helps adolescents avoid delinquent involvement (C. Smith, 2003;Unlu, 2009;Unlu & Sahin, 2015;Unlu et al, 2014). Because of the importance of family attachment and peer influence for adolescent behavior, the present study assumed that religious family and peer groups could provide the main components of a social context that reinforces norms and values and encourages adolescents to avoid morally unacceptable behavior.…”

“…Researchers have emphasized the impact of family on adolescent behavior and suggest that parents may exercise control over adolescents' behavior by providing emotional and informational support (Bolin et al, 2003;Pearce & Haynie, 2004;Petts, 2009;Unlu, 2009;Unlu et al, 2014). Unlu et al (2014) found a strong relation between peer influence and adolescent deviance and indicated that adolescents having friends who use substances are more likely to use substances themselves. Thus, a religious social environment may exert intensified social control that helps adolescents avoid delinquent involvement (C. Smith, 2003;Unlu, 2009;Unlu & Sahin, 2015;Unlu et al, 2014).…”

“…In other words, such belief may function as a control mechanism by creating a belief system that delinquent behaviors are prohibited by Islamic principle and that delinquent behavior will result in divine punishment. Furthermore, because the belief that God is in control of one's destiny and everyday life is a prominent aspect of the Islamic belief system (Unlu et al, 2014), religious belief may affect the way in which individuals interpret right and wrong and contribute to developing selfreliance to cope with adolescent problems.…”