Psychosocial predictors of substance abuse among adolescents

A review of the literature indicates that the etiology of substance abuse amongst adolescents is still largely unclear. It is, however, generally accepted that the cause is usually not due to a single variable, but rather to a complex interaction between intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is a difference between substance-abusing adolescents and non-using adolescents with regard to the mentioned factors. A multicultural group of 302 Grade 11 learners completed questionnaires to assess these characteristics: a biographical questionnaire, the NEO Personality Inventory, the Adolescent SASSI-A2 and the Fortitude Scale. The various characteristics of these adolescents were compared concerning the three levels of substance use, namely low probability of use, abuse and dependence on substances. Significant differences in the mean scores concerning agreeableness, conscientiousness, setï-eppreiset, family support and general social support in the three levels of substance use groups were found. The results are discussed, the shortcomings of the study indicated and recommendations made.