Abstract

Addiction among immigrant youth is a phenomenon associated with individual experiences, family relationships, and social environment. The migration experience constitutes an important context shaping this phenomenon. Although the literature on this topic has expanded, comprehensive studies addressing addiction together with psychosocial risk factors, protective processes, and intervention approaches remain limited. This study aims to examine addiction among immigrant youth within these three dimensions. The study employs document analysis. In this context, studies indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were reviewed, and the findings were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that three main domains shape addiction among immigrant youth. Psychosocial risk factors include trauma exposure, family disruption, and social exclusion. In contrast, protective processes such as family support, emotional regulation, cultural identity, and school connectedness mitigate these effects. Intervention approaches are primarily structured around family-based, culturally adapted, and psychosocial support-oriented models. Overall, addiction among immigrant youth emerges as a phenomenon that requires the joint consideration of psychosocial factors operating at different levels. These findings suggest that intervention approaches should be addressed within a contextual and multidimensional framework.

Keywords: immigrant youth, addiction, psychosocial risk factors, protective processes, intervention approaches, document analysis

Main Points

  • Addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth is shaped by interacting psychosocial, familial, and structural risk factors.
  • Trauma exposure, social exclusion, and acculturation-related stressors emerge as major contributors to substance use risk.
  • Family support, school connectedness, emotional regulation, and cultural identity function as key protective processes.
  • The literature emphasizes family-based, culturally adapted, and trauma-informed intervention approaches for reducing addiction risk.
  • Current research remains limited in providing integrated and context-sensitive models addressing addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth.

Introduction

Migration is one of the key factors that intensifies substance use and addiction vulnerability among young people. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), migration refers to the process of spatial mobility in which individuals move from their usual place of residence to another location, either temporarily or permanently, within a country or across international borders (International Organization for Migration, 2024). This process involves not only physical relocation but also the disruption of social support networks, efforts toward cultural adaptation, and often confrontation with traumatic life experiences (Bronstein & Montgomery, 2011). Moreover, migration also constitutes a social encounter between migrant and host communities, in which processes of adaptation and conflict may emerge simultaneously (Gülerce & Bozkurt, 2022).

According to the latest available data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has exceeded 120 million (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2024). Due to its geographical position, Türkiye is both a destination and a source country for migration. As of 2024, approximately 3.11 million Syrians under temporary protection reside in the country, and the total foreign population has reached approximately 4.7 million (Presidency of Migration Management, 2024). Current reports indicate that a significant proportion of this population consists of children and young people (UNICEF, 2024; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2024).

Psychosocial Vulnerability Processes in Youth

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are sensitive developmental periods characterized by identity formation, the search for belonging, and emotional regulation processes (Collins & Laursen, 2004; Erikson, 1968). During these periods, individuals’ capacities to cope with stress are not yet fully developed, making them more vulnerable to environmental and social risk factors (Nash, 2025). Factors such as traumatic experiences, social exclusion, family dysfunction, and difficulties in cultural adaptation weaken young people’s psychosocial resilience and deepen vulnerability processes (Wright et al., 2021). In this context, young people with migration experience are considered a particularly vulnerable group due to their exposure to multiple risk factors (Güler & Demircan, 2022; Taşdemir et al., 2020).

Substance Use and Addiction Risk among Immigrant Youth

Addiction is defined as a multidimensional condition characterized by the continued use of psychoactive substances despite adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences, often accompanied by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, and is considered both a chronic brain disorder and a psychosocial maladjustment (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022; World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). Global data indicate an increasing trend in substance use; approximately 316 million people used drugs in 2023, representing a 28% increase over the past decade (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2025). Similarly, in Türkiye, drug-related deaths have increased, and treatment admissions remain at high levels (Presidency of Narcotics Crime Combat, 2024; Yeşilay, 2025).

Studies focusing on migrant and refugee populations show that substance use prevalence varies depending on context. In Türkiye, research has reported differences in substance and alcohol use rates between camp and non-camp settings, while among refugee adolescents, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use have been observed at notable levels (İlhan et al., 2021; Vasic et al., 2021). At the global level, hazardous alcohol use among forcibly displaced populations ranges between 4% and 36% (Horyniak et al., 2016). These findings suggest that immigrant youth may face increased risks in certain contexts (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction & European Union Agency for Asylum, 2023).

The empirical literature indicates that substance use among immigrant youth is largely examined in relation to trauma, psychopathology, peer influence, and social environmental dynamics. Studies conducted in Türkiye show that psychological symptoms, family dysfunction, and peer influence are associated with substance use tendencies (Avcı, 2025; Düken & Kaplan, 2024; Şahin & Güngör, 2022). Michel et al. (2025) report that immigrant youth are exposed to more stressors but do not significantly differ from their native peers in terms of psychopathology, while Mendez and Kerig (2023) highlight that discrimination and contextual stressors shape both risk and resilience processes. These findings suggest that substance use is often addressed indirectly through psychosocial processes rather than through direct measurement (Uysal et al., 2022).

In the international literature, discussions of acculturation and the “immigrant paradox” indicate that substance use patterns vary across contexts. While a meta-analysis by Sirin et al. (2021) found a weak but significant association between acculturation and alcohol use, Marginean et al. (2023) argue that this relationship varies across contexts. Some studies point to lower levels of risk among immigrant youth, whereas others emphasize that trauma, social exclusion, and structural vulnerabilities may increase risk (Akello et al., 2026). Peer influence is consistently identified as a major risk factor, while parental closeness, emotional regulation, and school connectedness serve as protective factors (Rodríguez-Ruiz & Espejo-Siles, 2024; Watts et al., 2023).

Overall, the literature indicates that substance use among immigrant youth is not a unidimensional phenomenon but rather a context-dependent and multi-layered process. However, many studies are limited by small sample sizes and cross-sectional designs, and issues such as stigma and access to services remain insufficiently addressed.

Research Gap and Study Aim

Although the literature provides important insights into substance use and psychosocial vulnerability among immigrant youth, studies that address risk factors, protective factors, and intervention implications together within a multidimensional framework remain limited. Existing research often focuses on either risk or adaptation processes, without integrating these dimensions into a comprehensive perspective.

Therefore, this study aims to synthesize the literature on addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth by examining psychosocial risk factors, protective factors, and intervention approaches. Within this scope, social and structural processes associated with the migration experience do not consistently produce protective outcomes for immigrant youth; rather, under certain conditions, they may also generate risk. The literature discusses this complexity through the concept of the “immigrant paradox,” suggesting that higher levels of adaptation to the host society may be associated with increased engagement in risk behaviors such as alcohol use (Sirin et al., 2021; van Dorp et al., 2020). At the same time, processes characterized by social exclusion, discrimination, and lack of belonging may also increase substance use through alternative pathways (Salas-Wright et al., 2020; Sandberg et al., 2022). In contrast, social contexts such as school belonging, social acceptance, and supportive relationships are associated with stronger psychosocial resilience and a lower likelihood of substance use (Stathopoulou et al., 2025). From this perspective, migration-related social processes should be understood as dynamic mechanisms that can produce different outcomes depending on contextual conditions.

The following research questions guide the study:

  • What are the main psychosocial risk factors associated with addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth?
  • Which protective factors contribute to resilience against substance use in this population?
  • How does the literature address intervention approaches aimed at reducing addiction among immigrant youth?

Method

This study was conducted as a narrative review, supported by a thematic document analysis. The literature search was conducted in a structured manner using the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The search process was conducted using combinations of the following keywords: “immigrant youth,” “refugee adolescents,” “migration,” “substance use,” “addiction,” “psychosocial risk,” and “protective factors.”

Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2026 that focused on substance use, addiction, or related psychosocial processes among migrant or refugee youth. In addition, studies addressing trauma, mental health, acculturation, resilience, and social adaptation were included when they were conceptually linked to addiction vulnerability. Only studies published in English and Turkish were considered.

Exclusion criteria included studies not directly relevant to youth populations, studies with inaccessible full texts, and studies lacking conceptual relevance to addiction vulnerability.

A total of 140 studies were identified through database searches. Following a multi-stage screening process based on titles, abstracts, and full-text review, 35 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The selected studies were examined using thematic document analysis. The analysis was organized around three core themes: (1) psychosocial risk factors, (2) protective factors, and (3) intervention approaches. This framework enabled a systematic, conceptually informed synthesis of the literature.

Findings

The findings indicate that, based on a thematic document analysis of the literature, addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth is shaped by three main themes: psychosocial risk factors, protective factors and resilience processes, and intervention approaches.

Addiction Vulnerability and Psychosocial Risk Domains Among Immigrant Youth

Addiction vulnerability among young people in the migration process can be conceptualized as a psychosocial field shaped by the intersection of traumatic life experiences, uncertainties in identity development, tensions associated with cultural adaptation, weakened social support mechanisms, and structural exclusion dynamics (Cardoso, 2018; Fazel et al., 2005). This vulnerability deepens particularly through the interaction between early exposure to war, loss, and forced displacement and the social and cultural structures of the host society.

At the individual level, traumatic life histories, levels of psychological resilience, and self-regulation capacities constitute key factors shaping vulnerability to substance use (Cicchetti & Rogosch, 2002). Difficulties in emotional regulation and psychological symptoms emerging after trauma may lead to the functional use of substances as a coping strategy, particularly in the context of forced migration (Güler & Demircan, 2022; Şahin & Güngör, 2022). In this process, low self-efficacy, intolerance of uncertainty, and tendencies toward hopelessness increase the likelihood of engagement in risky behaviors (Najdini et al., 2025). A study by İlhan et al. (2021) indicates that substance use is more prevalent among young people aged 15-24 with lower educational levels and limited coping skills. This age group corresponds to a critical period of identity development, where developmental characteristics such as the search for belonging, need for social approval, and contact with risk-prone peer groups may increase vulnerability to addiction (Steinberg, 2008).

The abrupt environmental changes accompanying migration, disruptions in life trajectories, and weakening of social ties generate important contextual risks that further intensify these individual vulnerabilities. Such conditions may interrupt developmental continuity and lead young people toward maladaptive coping strategies,including substance use as a coping mechanism (Cardoso, 2018; Elder et al., 2003). In particular, the intersection of identity formation, belonging, and future planning processes with migration experiences increases vulnerability to substance use (UNICEF, 2023). Similarly, the literature identifies contextual stressors such as adaptation to the host society’s cultural structure, language barriers, lack of social acceptance, uncertainty of legal status, loss of social capital, and disruptions in education as key risk factors for immigrant youth (Güler & Demircan, 2022; Şahin & Güngör, 2022).

Another important psychosocial risk domain deepening addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth is relational vulnerability, characterized by disruptions in family dynamics and the weakening of social networks. During the migration process, weakened parental roles, communication problems within the family, and disruptions in caregiving processes may increase young people’s orientation toward peer groups and facilitate engagement in risky behaviors (Betancourt et al., 2015; Taşdemir et al., 2020). When protective family bonds weaken, young people may seek belonging within risky social environments, reinforcing social learning processes in which substance use becomes normalized.

At the social and structural level, social exclusion, discrimination, uncertainty of status, and barriers to accessing services constitute key risk areas that reinforce addiction vulnerability (Amaro et al., 2021). Young people experiencing social exclusion often struggle to develop a sense of belonging and may attempt to compensate for this gap through substance use (Höhne et al., 2022). Empirical findings from the Turkish context further indicate that immigrant youth often express a strong desire for social cohesion and acceptance, yet simultaneously encounter experiences of exclusion, discrimination, and limited psychosocial support (Gülerce & Çorlu, 2021). Social stress theory suggests that chronic stress accumulated under disadvantaged social conditions leads individuals toward maladaptive coping behaviors, thereby increasing the risk of substance use (Aneshensel, 1992). Furthermore, the cultural norms of the host society and adaptation processes may reshape young people’s attitudes toward substance use, while the weakening of cultural values may accelerate this process (Horyniak et al., 2016; Manafe et al., 2024).

However, the literature indicates that addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth is not a unidimensional phenomenon but rather develops across multiple levels and contexts. The interaction of trauma, social exclusion, family dysfunction, and structural inequalities suggests that addiction risk emerges as a multi-layered process (Egger et al., 2025; Masten, 2014; Ungar, 2013).The findings of the document analysis were organized into thematic categories, as presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Thematic classification of psychosocial risk domains in addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth
Theme (Risk Area) Description Key Factors Identified in Literature Example References
Individual Vulnerability Risk factors related to psychological functioning and developmental processes Trauma history, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, low resilience, hopelessness Güler & Demircan (2022); Najdini et al. (2025)
Developmental Processes Risks linked to identity formation and developmental sensitivity Identity confusion, need for belonging, peer influence, risk-taking Steinberg (2008)
Contextual Stressors Risks emerging from migration-related environmental changes Displacement, loss of social ties, uncertainty, and interrupted education Elder et al. (2003); UNICEF (2023)
Family and Relational Vulnerability Risks related to family dynamics and social relationships Parental role disruption, family conflict, weak attachment, and peer pressure Betancourt et al. (2015); Egger et al. (2025) ; Taşdemir et al. (2020)
Social and Structural Exclusion Risks shaped by broader social conditions Discrimination, poverty, marginalization, and access barriers Amaro et al. (2021); Gülerce & Çorlu (2021); Manafe et al. (2024)

Protective Processes Against Addiction Vulnerability Among Immigrant Youth

Protective processes against addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth are increasingly conceptualized in the literature as context-sensitive psychosocial mechanisms that extend beyond individual characteristics. These processes emerge through the interaction of individual, relational, and structural factors, forming a dynamic framework that constrains addiction risk through multiple pathways. From an ecological systems perspective, resilience is understood not merely as an individual capacity, but as an outcome of the interaction between the individual and their surrounding environment (Bronfenbrenner, 2005; Walker & Salt, 2006).

Within this framework, family relationships, emotional regulation skills, and identity development are consistently identified as key protective domains against substance use. Large-scale empirical studies demonstrate that strong family functioning and positive ethnic identity development are associated with reduced tendencies toward alcohol and substance use (Perreira et al., 2019). Similarly, family support and parent-child communication weaken the impact of adverse migration experiences on substance use intentions and limit the formation of risky behavioral norms (Miraç Yaman, 2014; Salas-Wright et al., 2020). Qualitative findings further suggest that parental involvement and family cohesion may operate differently under different contextual conditions (Frounfelker et al., 2026). In addition, emotional regulation skills and secure attachment patterns serve as important individual mechanisms that constrain substance use, while peer and family support strengthen resilience processes (Cole et al., 2022; Momeñe et al., 2021). Moreover, migration-related social networks function as important sources of social support by facilitating access to information, resources, and guidance through ties with relatives, friends, and co-ethnic communities, thereby strengthening young people’s capacity to cope with migration-related challenges (Gülerce & Demir, 2021).

School connectedness, peer support, and a sense of community belonging also emerge as important protective domains that reduce engagement in risky behaviors. Empirical studies indicate that family and school support significantly decrease behavioral and health-related risks among immigrant youth, whereas low levels of school connectedness increase the likelihood of affiliation with risky peer groups, indirectly contributing to substance use (Borraccino et al., 2020; Ladis et al., 2021). Moreover, extended family structures have been found to play a protective role in certain migrant populations (Areba et al., 2018).

At the broader level, cultural values, religious norms, and community-specific socialization processes are also identified as key protective mechanisms against substance use. Systematic studies indicate that cultural and religious values function as protective factors (Kenin et al., 2025), while the “immigrant paradox” suggests that immigrant youth may initially exhibit lower levels of substance use (Marginean et al., 2023). These findings highlight that protective processes are not limited to individual characteristics but are also embedded within cultural and structural contexts. Accordingly, integrative models of immigrant youth adaptation emphasize that these mechanisms operate in a complementary manner, shaping resilience through interconnected processes (Suárez-Orozco et al., 2018).

Overall, the literature suggests that protective processes against addiction among immigrant youth do not emerge from isolated factors but through interrelated mechanisms that operate in combination. The thematic distribution of these processes across different contexts is presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Thematic classification of protective processes against addiction among immigrant youth
Theme Protective Domain Key Mechanisms Representative Studies
Individual and Family-Based Processes Family functioning and identity development Parent-child communication, family support, ethnic identity, emotional regulation, secure attachment Cole et al., 2022; Frounfelker et al., 2026; Gülerce & Demir, 2021; Momeñe et al., 2021; Perreira et al., 2019; Salas-Wright et al., 2020
Social and Relational Processes Social relationships and belonging School connectedness, peer support, sense of belonging, social support networks Areba et al., 2018; Borraccino et al., 2020; Ladis et al., 2021
Cultural and Structural Processes Cultural and societal protective factors Cultural norms, religious values, socialization processes, and the immigrant paradox Kenin et al., 2025; Marginean et al., 2023
Integrative Processes Adaptation and interaction mechanisms Interaction between individual, social, and structural processes Suárez-Orozco et al., 2018

Psychosocial Intervention Approaches to Reduce Addiction Risk Among Immigrant Youth

Psychosocial intervention approaches aimed at reducing addiction risk among immigrant youth are increasingly conceptualized in the literature as structured and multi-dimensional strategies that operate across different domains. Rather than focusing solely on individual behavior change, these interventions address family dynamics, social environments, cultural context, and psychological processes simultaneously (Ögel et al., 2003).

Family-based interventions emerge as the most consistently supported approach in reducing substance use risk among immigrant youth. Empirical and review studies demonstrate that strengthening parenting skills, enhancing parent-child communication, and increasing parental monitoring significantly delay the initiation of substance use and reduce risk behaviors (Li et al., 2024; Marsiglia et al., 2018). Randomized controlled trials further indicate that interventions involving active family participation produce stronger protective effects, particularly in reducing tobacco and alcohol use and improving psychosocial outcomes (Martinez et al., 2021). In addition, culturally adapted family-based models have been shown to enhance parental communication skills and increase awareness of substance-related risks across diverse migrant populations (Callak et al., 2022; Nagoshi et al., 2018).

Culturally adapted intervention models constitute another key domain in the literature. Meta-analytic and systematic review findings indicate that interventions tailored to cultural norms, language, and identity processes yield more sustainable outcomes than standard approaches (Contreras-Pérez et al., 2023; Hernandez Robles et al., 2018). School-based programs and group interventions that integrate cultural adaptation components have been found to generate stronger long-term behavioral effects (Montero-Zamora, 2023). Similarly, culturally sensitive interventions addressing both migration experiences and trauma exposure contribute to improved emotional regulation and indirectly reduce substance use risk (Lotzin et al., 2021).

Trauma-focused intervention approaches related to addiction among immigrant youth have emerged as an important domain in reducing addiction risk. Empirical findings indicate that trauma experiences constitute a risk mechanism that increases psychological symptom levels and, in turn, reinforces the tendency toward substance use (Yalch et al., 2024). In this context, these intervention approaches focus not on directly targeting substance use, but rather on reducing the underlying psychopathological processes that contribute to addiction risk. Systematic review and meta-analytic evidence suggest that trauma-focused intervention approaches related to addiction among immigrant youth are effective in reducing trauma-related symptoms; however, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to their heterogeneous nature (Turrini et al., 2017; Velu et al., 2025). Studies based on more limited samples also indicate that these intervention approaches weaken addiction-related risk processes among immigrant youth (Chipalo, 2021). School- and community-based applications further demonstrate that trauma-focused intervention approaches related to addiction among immigrant youth enhance psychosocial functioning and reduce risk behaviors (Noyes et al., 2025). However, in Türkiye, studies examining intervention approaches for individuals with addiction have largely been conducted on general addicted populations, and the role of trauma-focused interventions in treatment processes has increasingly been emphasized (Eruyar et al., 2018; Şeker et al., 2019). Nevertheless, empirical studies specifically examining intervention models for immigrant individuals with addiction remain highly limited. This highlights a clear need for more targeted and context-sensitive intervention research at the intersection of trauma, addiction, and migration.

In recent years, digital and accessibility-focused interventions have also gained prominence. Multilingual and culturally adapted digital health applications provide alternative support mechanisms, particularly for youth facing barriers to formal services. These interventions, often based on cognitive-behavioral techniques, offer early-stage support and help reduce substance use risk (Fischer et al., 2021). Their scalability and accessibility highlight their potential in reaching underserved migrant populations.

Despite these developments, the literature reveals significant limitations in the availability and accessibility of prevention programs for immigrant and refugee youth. Systematic reviews indicate that many young people are unaware of existing prevention services and may develop distrust of institutional structures (Aleer et al., 2024). This suggests that intervention strategies need to be reconsidered not only in terms of content but also in terms of accessibility, cultural relevance, and acceptability.

In the Turkish context, intervention strategies addressing addiction risk among immigrant youth are implemented through family-based, school-based, and psychosocially oriented intervention programs. National initiatives such as the Family Education Program and the ANKA Social Integration and Family Empowerment Program emphasize strengthening family processes, increasing awareness, and supporting improved access to psychosocial support services. In addition, community-based services such as YEDAM incorporate psychosocial support and rehabilitation mechanisms. These practices indicate that intervention approaches in Türkiye are increasingly aligned with ecological and multi-level frameworks (Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı, 2021; Kahyaoğlu et al., 2020; Yeşilay, 2025).

Overall, intervention approaches targeting addiction risk among immigrant youth cannot be reduced to a single model; rather, they emerge as integrative structures that encompass family processes, cultural adaptation, social environments, and mental health dimensions. The effectiveness of these interventions depends on the combined functioning of these mechanisms across different contexts. The distribution of these intervention approaches by theme is presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Thematic classification of intervention approaches to reduce addiction risk among immigrant youth
Theme Intervention Domain Key Mechanisms Representative Studies
Family-Based Interventions Parenting and family processes Parenting skills, communication, parental monitoring, and family participation Callak et al., 2022; Kahyaoğlu et al., 2020; Li et al., 2024; Marsiglia et al., 2018; Martinez et al., 2021; Nagoshi et al., 2018;
Culturally Adapted Interventions Cultural and identity-based processes Cultural adaptation, language, identity reinforcement, and social norms Contreras-Pérez et al., 2023; Hernández Robles et al., 2018; Lotzin et al., 2021; Montero-Zamora, 2023
Mental Health and Trauma-Based Interventions Psychological processes Emotional regulation, trauma-focused interventions Chipalo, 2021; Eruyar et al., 2018; Noyes et al., 2025; Şeker et al., 2019; Turrini et al., 2017; Velu et al., 2025
Digital and Accessibility-Based Interventions Service access Digital health tools, early intervention, multilingual support Fischer et al., 2021
Structural Limitations and Access Barriers System-level factors Service awareness, accessibility, and institutional trust Aleer et al., 2024

Conclusion

This study reconceptualizes addiction among immigrant youth by situating it within the intersection of psychosocial processes shaped by migration. The findings indicate that addiction cannot be understood solely as an individual-level problem; rather, it emerges as a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the interaction of trauma, social environment, family processes, and structural conditions. Within this framework, risk factors increase the likelihood of addiction, while protective processes buffer these effects, and intervention approaches hold the potential to transform the dynamic relationship between these domains. This perspective frames addiction as a modifiable process that can be reshaped through multi-level and context-sensitive interventions.

At the same time, the analysis highlights important limitations in the existing literature. Addiction is often treated as a measurable outcome, while the subjective meanings attached to substance use and the psychosocial conditions under which these meanings evolve remain underexplored. Research tends to prioritize risk factors, with limited attention to their interaction with protective processes, and intervention studies frequently focus on program effectiveness without sufficiently addressing the lived experiences and contextual realities of immigrant youth. These gaps point to the need for more comprehensive research approaches that conceptualize addiction vulnerability as a dynamic and multidimensional process.

Future research should prioritize intervention-based and context-sensitive designs that examine how addiction is shaped within the evolving social environments of immigrant youth. In particular, emerging domains such as digital environments, peer networks, and youth subcultures—including marginal groups and gang-related formations—represent critical yet underexplored contexts. Addressing these areas has the potential to deepen theoretical understanding and strengthen the development of more effective intervention strategies.

Acknowledgements

No specific acknowledgements are declared for this study.

Author contributions

Conception: F.Ö.E., Ş.S.; Design: F.Ö.E., C.E.; Data acquisition: F.Ö.E., C.E.; Data interpretation: F.Ö.E., C.E.; Drafting of the manuscript: F.Ö.E., C.E., Ş.S.; Critical revision of the manuscript: F.Ö.E. All authors reviewed the results, approved the final version of the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of this study.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new datasets were generated or analyzed during this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that this study was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Funding

The authors declare that this study received no funding.

Generative AI statement

The authors declare that no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in the writing or preparation of this study.

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Özler Ervüz, F., Ervüz, C., & Südüpak, Ş. (2026). Addiction vulnerability among immigrant youth: Psychosocial risk, protective processes, and intervention approaches. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 13, 17-25. https://doi.org/10.15805/addicta.2026.483