Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Abstract

Social Influences in Adolescents substance use: A Systematic Review

Steffi Rose Mathew*

Background: Adolescents is a sensitive developmental phase easily influenced by their surroundings. The substance use among adolescents is progressively increasing and has created a positive attitude towards it. This can lead to sexual assaults, criminality and involvement in illegal business contributing to great negative outcomes in adolescent and adulthood.

Method: The following is a systematic review conducted as per preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The databases Google scholar and PubMed were searched in September 2020, from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2020. The studies included were of paper-pencil/web surveys or part of larger longitudinal studies and were conducted mostly in schools and colleges. The study subjects were all adolescents to young adulthood group since the studies centered on social influential aspects such as peer influence, family aspects and culture or ethnicity correlation to substance use. The details were extracted from the published articles.

Findings: Out of 60 studies identified, 23 were eligible and had 1, 45,070 patients in total. Peer/friend, parental/family and ethnic/culture influences were categorized and analyzed their relation to substance use in adolescents. The data were summarized descriptively and concluded by the evidence presented by the cumulative evidences.

Interpretation: Peer influence leading to deviant peer association is the major cause of adolescent substance use. Lax parenting process with decreased association to culture leads to lack of support, acceptance and increased leisure time, contributing to adolescent susceptibility to peer pressure increasing substance use.

Published Date: 2020-11-09; Received Date: 2019-10-24