engleski

The relationship between some family variables and adolescent substance abuse

Recent researchers have identified family variables as a potential protective factor against adolescent substance abuse. In the present study, the relationship between some family variables and cigarette, alcohol and drug use is examined. The first objective was to compare girls' and boys' family functioning and family structure. The second objective was to examine the relationship between some family variables and adolescent substance abuse. The sample comprised 1258 boys and 1539 girls (14-18 years old) from all parts of Croatia. Adolescents described their family structures, degree of family cohesion, parental social support and family interaction (family activities and free-time spent together with family). They also described their use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs during their lives.Adolescents living with both parents have a significantly higer degree of family cohesion, parental social support, and family interaction than adolescents living with one parent or with neither parent. Separate regression analyses were conducted for male and female samles with three types of substance abuse as criterion variables and four subscales of family functioning as predictors.Based on regression analyses, family variables are related to adolescent cigarette, alcohol and drug use but predictive factors vary by gender of the participant. There seems to be a significant relationship between family variables and adolescent substance abuse, but the strenght of the relationship varies with the substance used and gender. The results are discussed in relation to different patterns of socialisation of boys and girls.

family function; family structure; adolescent; gender; substance abuse

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