Factors influencing adolescent illicit drug use: A biopsychosocial model

Adolescence is a time for experimentation and growth. During this transition into adulthood, opportunities arise for risk-taking behaviors including illicit drug (ID) use. Although narcotics, barbiturates, “club drugs,” and other IDs are often researched independently, adolescents frequently use these substances simultaneously. This purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between psychological and normative factors associated with adolescents' lifetime and past month ID use. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey of 1,630 Indiana 6th through 12th grade students. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and mediating relationships between risk perceptions, perceptions of self, perceptions of the external world, and perceived peer behaviors using a model derived from the Biopsychosocial Model (BPSM). Results indicate latent constructs of the BPSM were significant antecedent factors to ID use. Variations in relationships and strengths of associations were observed between lifetime and past month models. Adolescent risk perceptions and perceived peer behaviors had direct effects on lifetime (b=-.05, P<.001 and b=-.11, P<.05, respectively) and past month (b=-.06, P<.001; b=-.21, P<.001, respectively) ID use. Adolescents' perceptions of the external world were significantly correlated with the mediator variable risk perceptions in both models (b=-4.33, P<.001 and b=-5.74, P<.001, respectively). Perceptions of self was mediated by risk perceptions only within the past month model (b=.53, P<.005). Use of illicit substances was intercorrelated. Understanding the combined effects of psychological and normative factors contributing to adolescent ID use may enable health professionals, school officials, and parents to promote healthy behaviors and initiate behavior change.