The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3284.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 4

Abstract #45381

Basis of building resilience: Exploring the risk and protective factors of substance use among the Taiwanese adolescents

Ching-Mei Lee, PhD & CHES1, Hsiang-Ru Lai, PhD1, Pi-Hsia Lee, EdD2, Fong-Ching Chang, MEd3, and Wen-Jau Chen, LB1. (1) Department of Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Sec. 1, East Ho-Ping Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, 886-2-23657907 Ext 232, t09007@cc.ntnu.edu.tw, (2) Department of Nurse, Taipei Medical University, 250, Wu-shing St., Taipei, 105, Taiwan, (3) Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan, 2, Changching St., Shinjuang, 242, Taiwan

Introduction The main purpose of the study was to explore the risk and protective factors of substance use among the adolescents in Taiwan.

Methods The sample of the investigation were selected by the proportionate probability sampling method. Sixteen vocational and senior high schools in Taipei area were included, with the total number of valid questionnaires being 2,152. The data were collected via a group self-administration in June, 2000.

Results The rate of vocational high school students who have smoked cigarettes, drunk alcohol, chewed betelnuts, and use illegal drugs within last year were 23.0%, 29.1%, 7.5%, and 0.5%, respectively. About 90% of the students who used drugs also smoked cigarettes and chewed betelnuts. Refusal self-efficacy was the most important protective factors of substance use among the students. The students with high refusal self-efficacy were less likely to use substances. Peer influence was the most important risk factor of substance use among the students. Peer use of substances and peer invitation of using were important influence of substance use among the students.

Discussion It was suggested that drug education should enhance the self-efficacy of adolescents and help them to establish disapproval attitudes toward substance use. Future research needs to include the students living at different areas and in various age to explore the longitudinal trends.

Key Words: Adolescent, Substance Abuse, Risk Factors, Protective Factors

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Adolescents, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Teens: Environmental and Resilience Factors Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA