The life stage of adolescence becomes a particularly sensitive period in the establishment of the individual’s own identity, which is why it seems necessary to analyze what circumstances can favor or prevent harmful risk behaviors in this age group, such as substance consumption. .
In the ESTUDES work carried out by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (2018), statistics were prepared indicating the state of consumption at the national level in 2016-2017, analyzing various variables such as age of onset, sex or type of substance consumed in the adolescent population (14-18 years).
These data show that although the onset of consumption of substances such as alcohol, tobacco or certain drugs such as cannabis at the indicated ages has been delayed by some months compared to a previous decade, the frequency and volume of consumption is higher today compared to previous years. In this article We will see what factors may be influencing drug use in adolescence in this regard
As indicated at the beginning, adolescence entails a vital time of significant psychological complexity, since a confluence of various factors of various kinds (physiological, emotional and social) interact in order to consolidate the subject’s own “I”. For this reason, at these ages self-affirmation behaviors, differentiation of family reference figures and even the appearance of certain oppositional behaviors and a certain defiance of the rules and limits imposed from the outside
Another factor that plays an important role is the increase in the influence that the peer group exerts on the individual, to the detriment of that provided by parental figures, which enjoyed greater significance during childhood. So, Teens feel significant peer pressure and they become very vulnerable to possible social rejection or acceptance.
In response to the two aspects exposed (the need for self-affirmation and the decrease in parental influence), it is observed in this population group an increase in sensation seeking and experiencing novelty for themselves , independently and demanding increasing levels of autonomy. Adolescents usually show an egocentric personal profile, which in some cases leads to the rejection of adult help or support.
Thus, the adolescent’s psyche is somewhere between a childish type of reasoning (more impulsive and irrational) and a more adult perspective (more serene and reflective). Therefore, although adolescents show ideas, thoughts and concerns that are different from those of children, it is still very complex for them to adopt more mature perspectives, which is why they become a particularly vulnerable to advertising campaigns that associate substance use with a successful or socially attractive personal profile
Nature of substance use
The phenomenon of substance consumption can be defined as a multifactorial aspect, since the effect it has on the person becomes the result of three large variables that come together:
Within each of these main areas, there are a series of more specific factors that can have a considerable influence on potential substance use during adolescence although it is true that it cannot be said that they play a direct causal role.
Risk factor’s
Risk factors are those circumstances that can increase the probability of consumption, while protective factors describe practices that reduce said proportion of occurrence of such behavior.
1. Individual factors
These are the risk factors present in individuals.
1.1. Values and beliefs
Consists in the attitudes, beliefs and ethical and moral values transmitted by the family and peer group in relation to one’s own substance use or to other more general aspects of life, for example, responsibility, the importance of health, etc.
1.2. Social skills
Social skills and resources, such as competence in interpersonal interaction behaviors or the set of personal resources available to the adolescent to establish satisfactory relationships adapted to reality. It is crucial for him to be able to express his opinions, assert himself and be critical depending on what risk situations and circumstances.
These elements are defined by the way in which an individual describes himself, by the personal image he has of his “I” and by the degree of personal security reflected
Thus, it has been demonstrated that individuals with an adequate level of these two phenomena are less vulnerable in risk situations. On the other hand, when self-esteem is low, consumption can perform a function of avoiding life frustrations, which can precipitate consumption.
1.4. The experimentation
Experimentation, understood as a phenomenon intrinsic to the adolescent stage, can be linked to situations of consumption, strengthening their occurrence if they are associated with pleasant or positive contingencies such as having fun, meeting other people, etc.
1.5. Emotional and behavioral self-control
Self-control can be diminished in this life stage due to the presence of facets such as impulsivity and the need for immediate gratification, so common in the adolescent period.
2. Relational factors
These factors have to do with the social contexts that adolescents go through.
2.1. School
The school, as one of the main educational and socializing agents, exerts a very relevant influence. It has been observed that students with academic failure or high rates of absenteeism, as well as negative attitudes towards peers or teachers They tend to have a higher risk of consumption.
2.2. peer group
In these ages Friendships become the main social reference , so the perception of feeling integrated and accepted by this group will largely determine their behavior and attitudes. In groups favorable to consumption, there is a greater probability of risk for the adolescent.
23. Leisure contexts
The relationship between the organization of leisure time and the economic aspect, from which there can be a strong association between the free time available to adolescents (on the weekend) and substance consumption.
2.4. The family
The findings show that when the parental environment is unstructured or interferes with the establishment of satisfactory relationships Among the members, there are greater probabilities of consumption in young people.
On the other hand, the attitude that the family presents towards the consumption habit will also be essential as a risk factor; The greater the acceptance and normalization, the higher the rate of substance use.
3. Social factors
The most widespread social phenomena fall into this category.
3.1. Knowledge, accessibility and volume of advertising on substances
In this it plays a fundamental role the level of transmission of information that the adolescent has received from the main reference figures : family, school and peer group. This will determine the adolescent’s perception of consumption, facilitating or hindering the avoidance of such action.
3.2. The socio-economic nature of the social interaction environment
In this one observes higher consumption rates in community areas with precarious conditions in terms of economic level and capacity for social integration.
In conclusion
Throughout the article, various types of aspects that can influence the development of consumer behavior in the adolescent population have been listed. It has been proven that this set of factors has a multidimensional and correlational character, not a causal one.
Even so, many of them are related to the type of educational development experienced by young people and, therefore, with the level of success in internalizing personal skills and values such as responsibility and autonomy, an adequate degree of assertiveness, social skills or the level of self-esteem acquired, as well as the supervision index and quality. communication between the different socializing agents and the minor.
In this way, it seems clear that working to promote homes with good family integration, where there is a combination between norms, limits, adaptive values and providing positive emotional support will be decisive in ensuring that future statistics reflect lower values regarding substance consumption in the adolescent population.
