Understanding Factors That Prevent Teen Drug Use
A recent extensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Córdoba has examined over 8,000 scientific publications related to adolescent substance use. The objective was to identify the various protective factors that deter teenagers from engaging in drug use, particularly in social contexts where peer pressure is prevalent.
According to the Health Ministry's Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Education in Spain (ESTUDES 2023), the onset age for alcohol consumption among youth is approximately 13.9 years, with tobacco and cannabis use beginning at ages 14.1 and 14.9, respectively. The influence of peers who already partake in substance use is a well-documented risk factor. However, not all adolescents succumb to these pressures, prompting researchers to explore what specific factors contribute to their resilience against drug use.
Researchers Raquel Espejo Siles and Joaquín Rodríguez-Ruiz, affiliated with the Coexistence and Violence Prevention Studies Lab (LAECOVI) at the University of Córdoba, aimed to uncover these protective factors. The study revealed that while there are multiple protective elements--including individual traits, family dynamics, and school environments--two critical aspects emerged as pivotal in shaping prevention policies: the age of the adolescent and the type of substance involved.
The comprehensive analysis reduced the initial pool of 8,000 articles to 50 that met the established criteria for inclusion in a systematic review. The findings emphasize that adolescents relate to substances differently at varying ages. For instance, the influence of family and school environments, such as parental supervision and school attachment, tends to diminish as teenagers grow older. As adolescents mature, peers increasingly play a significant role, making it essential for prevention strategies to adapt accordingly.
Espejo Siles and Rodríguez-Ruiz assert that prevention efforts should shift focus to peer influences as adolescents reach the age of 16 and beyond, where individual skills like self-control and responsible decision-making become more relevant. Furthermore, the type of substance is crucial; individual traits like assertiveness may not effectively prevent the use of specific substances like alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis, but they can be protective against poly-substance use.
The researchers also highlighted the importance of updating prevention strategies to encompass emerging trends, such as vaping and the impact of social media on adolescent behavior. Espejo Siles noted that the landscape of substance use is rapidly evolving, necessitating a re-examination of how adolescents interact with these substances and each other.
Additionally, the study calls for greater uniformity in research methodologies, particularly in defining adolescence. A significant proportion of existing research is based on American cultural contexts, which may not fully capture the global adolescent experience.
For further details, refer to the study published in the journal Adolescent Research Review.
