Factors Affecting Substance Non-Use Behaviors of High School Students*

This study was performed to determine the factors affecting the substance non-use behaviors of adolescents. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 983 students studying at three high schools during the 2015-2016 academic year and who were not using substances. The study was designed by cluster sampling method, and all volunteer students were included in the study. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Substance Abuse Information Questionnaire, and Self-Efficacy Scale in Preventing Abuse. Appropriate statistical analyses were used to assess the data. It was determined that 43% of the individuals not using substances were females and 57% were males. When the reasons for their non-use were examined in terms of sex, type of school, class, age group, addiction information score, and self-efficacy, statistically significant differences were seen between groups (p < .05). It was determined that students abstained from using substances because they were afraid of becoming addicted and of suffering psychological and physical problems, because addiction contradicted their beliefs, their families did not approve of such use, they did not want to associate with individuals who used addictive substances, and their friends did not use such substances, because substance use was expensive, contradicted their principles, and led to a loss of energy, ambition, and control, and because they were afraid of being caught by the police.

To cite this article: Konuk Şener, D., Akkuş, D., Karaca, A., & Cangür, Ş. (2018). Factors affecting substance non-use behaviors of high school students. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 5, 405‒429. http://dx.doi.org/10.15805/ addicta.2018.5.3.0024