Association of social pressure and drug use among Mexican young adults

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between perceived social pressure and the consumption of legal and illegal drugs in young people.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 885 university students of both sexes, selected using probabilistic sampling, aged between 18 and 25 years. Data collection involved a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Perceived Social Pressure Questionnaire, and a screening instrument for involvement with the consumption of legal and illegal substances.

Results: The young people reported higher alcohol consumption (78.4%), followed by marijuana use (18.1%). Regarding risk level, 19.4% presented moderate risk associated with alcohol use, 10.8% showed this level for tobacco use, and 5.9% for illegal drugs. Men reported higher scores on perceived social pressure (p<.05). Logistic regression models were significant for both legal and illegal substance use (p<.05).

Conclusions: Perceived social pressure was associated with drug use among university students. Based on these results, it is suggested that prevention strategies be implemented focusing on strengthening coping skills in the face of social, family, and environmental situations that university students perceive as facilitating drug use.

Key Words: Alcohol drinking, Tobacco Use, Young adult.