Determinants of substance use among high school students

Mićković, Mia. (2018). Determinants of substance use among high school students. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Buško, Vesna].

PDF (Croatian) - Registered users only Download (750kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore contribution of school commitment and unstructured leisure activities (partying, exposure to peer substance use) in explaining differences in the frequency of substance use among high school students. We investigated differences in school commitment and risky leisure activities regarding age, gender and type of school attended. A self-report questionnaire designed for monitoring risky behavior was administered to a sample of 978 high school students in Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Results have shown that younger students, females and preparatory school students reported significantly higher commitment to school. 4-year vocational school students reported significantly higher commitment to school in comparison to 3-year vocational school students. Older students reported spending significantly more time in risky leisure activities, as well as 3-year vocational students compared with preparatory school students which was most obvious among males from 3-year vocational schools in comparison to females from same school and males from other schools included. Both commitment to school and partying with peers were found to be significant predictors for the frequency of substance use among students, with commitment being negative and partying positive predictor and mediator in the relationship between commitment to school and frequency of substance use. Being male, older and vocational school student was predictive of higher substance use.

Actions (login required)

View Item