1. Background
In recent decades, the world has encountered alarming statistics regarding the prevalence of drug misuse in society, especially among young population (1). Drug misuse is mostly reported in 18 to 30 years old age group in Iran (2). Prevalence of illicit drug use in modern societies is so high that even educated people are inflicted. For example, drug misuse in universities in Tehran is reported as follows: 16.3% among art students, 8.85%among students of the humanities, 6% among engineering students, and 1.5% among medical students (3, 4). These statistics emphasize the importance of illicit drug use prevention among students.
According to some studies, breaking relationships with addicted peers is extremely stressful and requires new supportive relationships (5, 6). One of these sources of support is social support, which today is considered as one of the most important facilitators of healthy behavior. Social support includes acquiring information, material assistance, planning or health advice, or even emotional support from people whom the person is interested in or considers them worthy such as spouse, relatives and friends (7).
Researchers believe that all social relationships are not considered social support, but the ones that are perceived as available or appropriate sources to fulfill the individual’s needs. In other words, perceived social support determines whether the existing social relationships are adequate and appropriate for the person or not. Perceived social support is known as an effective moderating factor in dealing and coping with stressful events of life. Family, friends, classmates and neighbors are among the sources of social support (8).
Many studies show that perceived social support is important in treatment and prevention of lapse and relapse. Ellis showed that social support available to consumers influences the path of illicit drug use and relapse after treatment (9). Davis and Jason also concluded that abstinence from drugs has positive relationship with receiving social support. Evidently, client’s perception of social support improves psychosocial functioning during the treatment process (10).
Family functioning is associated with finding out how the family members interact and maintain relationships, how decisions are made, and how problems related to family members are solved. These functions are related to areas such as the ability of the family to cope with changes, resolving conflict, solidarity between members, success in enforcing disciplinary patterns, observing the boundaries between people and implementation of provisions and principles of the institution with the aim of protecting the whole family. Studies show that family problems can cause falling behind at school, collapse of social relationships, social isolation and the use of alcohol and drugs (11). In their study, Miller et al. (12) concluded that alcohol-dependent individuals and families report more family function disorder than non-alcohol dependent ones.
2. Objectives
The need to identify predictors and preventive measures in individuals, especially adolescents and young adults as well as educating protective factors against the drug is felt more than ever. In this regard, the current study aimed to examine the prediction of illicit drug use on the basis of perceived social support variables and the family functioning.
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Study Design
The current cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the role of perceived social support and family function in students’ vulnerability to illicit drug use.
3.2. Study Samples
Study population included all undergraduate students at Allameh Tabataba’i University of Tehran, Iran, enrolled in academic year of 2013 - 2014. Samples comprised 150 subjects based on sample size in similar correlation studies (13). Three schools (school of psychology and educational sciences, school of social sciences, and school of literature and foreign languages) were randomly selected by two-staged random sampling method among nine schools of the university. Then, from each school, three disciplines at the undergraduate level were randomly selected and questionnaires were distributed among 156 students. Inclusion criteria included having physical and mental health, and willingness to participate in the research.
3.3. Study Tools
Data collection was done using multidimensional scale of perceived social support, family assessment questionnaire, and addiction potential scale of Weed and Butcher.
3.3.1. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) Includes 12 Statements to Assess Perceived Social Support From Three Sources: Family, Friends, and Other Important People in Life (Significant Others)
Participants express their answers on a 7-point Likert-type scale from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (7). The scale score ranges from 12 to 60. Alpha (α) coefficient of the whole test was 0.91 and α subscales ranged from 0.90 to 0.95 (14). Regarding the validation of this scale in Iran, the obtained alpha was 0.89 (15). In the present study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for total score was 0.87.
3.3.2. Family Assessment Questionnaire Had 60 Questions to Assess Family Functioning Based on a Model Developed at McMaster
Scoring for negative statements is strongly agree (4), agree (3) disagree (2), and strongly disagree (1). Positive scores were scored conversely. High scores on this scale indicate family inefficiency. Alpha coefficient of subscales in the questionnaire ranged from 0.72 to 0.92 (16). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in Iran for entire questionnaire is reported 0.94 (17). In the present study, the Cronbach’s alpha for entire family functioning in the questionnaire was 0.91.
3.3.3. Addiction Potential Scale (APS) Was Devised by Weed and Butcher and Consists of Two Factors, Thirty-Six Statements, and Five Lie Detector Statements
3.4. Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, means and standard deviation were used to report data. Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were performed for data analysis, by SPSS version 21.
3.5. Ethical Considerations
In order to observe the ethical considerations, the study details were explained to participants and they were assured of their information confidentiality. Participation in the study was voluntary and written consent was obtained from all participants.
4. Results
The age range of participants was 19 - 24 years, with the mean age of 21.26 ± 1.56 years. Gender and distribution of students in various fields are listed in Table 1.
Table 1.Demographic Data of the Study Subjects
| Independent Variables | Statistical Indicators |
|---|---|
| Frequency (%) | |
| Gender | |
| Male | 82 (52.56) |
| Female | 74 (47.53) |
| Field of study | |
| Clinical psychology | 21 (13.46) |
| Consultation | 17 (10.89) |
| Exceptional children | 15 (9.61) |
| Sociology | 14 (8.97) |
| Social welfare | 18 (11.53) |
| Journalism | 17 (10.89) |
| Persian literature | 20 (12.82) |
| English language | 18 (11.53) |
| Arabic literature | 16 (10.25) |
In Table 2, the mean and standard deviation of variables, along with the correlation coefficient predictor variables and illicit drug use-susceptibility variable are presented.
Table 2.Mean, Standard Deviation and the Pearson Correlation Coefficients of Predictor Variables With Illicit Drug Use Potential
| Variables | M | SD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Social support from family | 16.11 | 3.12 | 1 | |||||
| 2. Social support from friends | 14.47 | 4.61 | 0.214a | 1 | ||||
| 3. Social support from significant others | 13.52 | 4.01 | 0.614b | 0.170a | 1 | |||
| 4. General social support from other important persons | 45.56 | 8.18 | 0.530b | 0.671b | 0.621b | 1 | ||
| 5. Family functioning | 112.16 | 21.31 | -0.34b | -0.29b | -0.18a | -0.36b | 1 | |
| 6. Illicit drug use potential | 29.18 | 12.01 | -0.320b | -0.312b | -0.173a | -0.380b | -0.44b | 1 |
aP < 0.001.
bP < 0.05.
Based on the results, there was a significant and negative association in the perceived social support and its components with tendency to illicit drug use. The findings also showed a significant and positive relationship between the family functioning (characterized by dysfunctional family) and illicit drug use potential (P < 0.005).
In Table 3, results of multiple regression analysis for illicit drug use potential are presented on the basis of perceived social support variables and family functioning.
Table 3.Multiple Regression Coefficients to Predict Illicit Drug Use on the Basis of Perceived Social Support and Family Function
| Predictor Variable | B | Standard Error | Beta | T | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed value | 41.261 | 4.621 | - | 13.61 | < 0.001 |
| Social support from family | -6.087 | 0.627 | -0.0858 | -6.02 | < 0.001 |
| Social support from friends | -4.062 | 0.613 | -0.0510 | -5.31 | < 0.001 |
| Social support from significant others | -3.641 | 0.514 | -0.480 | -4.51 | < 0.001 |
| Total perceived social support | -11.054 | 0.675 | -0.679 | -7.11 | < 0.001 |
| Family functioning | 12.321 | 0.475 | 0.051 | 7.32 | < 0.001 |
Predicting illicit drug use potential equation by perceived social support variables and family functioning is as follows:
Illicit drug use potential = [(overall perceived support) × -11.054] + [(family functioning) × 12.321] + 41.261.
As shown in Table 3, the results of the regression coefficients suggest a multiple relationship among perceived social support, its components, and family function with illicit drug use potential. In other words, perceived social support and its components (perceived social support from family, social support from friends, social support from significant others) and family function are important variables to predict illicit drug use potential.
5. Discussion
As one of the first reports from Western Asia, especially the Persian Gulf region, the current study aimed to investigate the association of perceived social support and family function among students with illicit drug use potential. The results indicated a significant relationship between family functioning and illicit drug use potential, i e, dysfunctional family relationships are the underlying factors for illicit drug use; proper family function acts as a shield and guards the individual against tendency towards illicit drug use. To explain these findings, the main concepts that should be noted in analyzing causes of illicit drug use are institutions and networks of mutual relationships. Family is the most important institution in forming and developing character of its members (20). Although individuals experience many interpersonal relationships during their lives, parent-child relationship takes place from an early age and is necessary for compatibility and long-term success of children. A wealth of research support parent-child relationships and its effect on the behavior of young people, especially high-risk behaviors such as drug use. This finding was consistent with findings of other studies such as those of Tilson et al., Yen, Chen, and Chen, Warren and Stein and Davis and Jason (10, 20-22). Factors such as high parent-child conflict, learning about parents’ positive attitude toward drug use, and family functioning can be predictors of drug dependence (22). Also, high quality emotional bonds of parent-child are protective factors against many risky behaviors (21).
The scope and depth of penetration and influence of family variables in terms of their importance are studied from different angles. Typically, these variables affect children’s vulnerability to drug use and misuse through socialization processes within the family, following exemplars, imitating parents’ behaviors, social reinforcement, internalizing values, household behavior, methods of social control and parental discipline (23).
The association of perceived social support and its dimensions with illicit drug use potential in students was another finding of the current study. In other words, those who received more support from family members, friends and significant others tended to use drugs less. Other studies reported this relationship in line with the findings of the current study. For patients, social support is one of the strongest forces to oppose stressful situations and facilitate bearing difficulties (24). Researchers believe that lack of social support increases the incidence of psychiatric disorders and one of these disorders is drug abuse (25, 26).
The main finding of the current study was that illicit drug use potential is predictable with a linear combination of perceived social support and family functioning, i e, people with low perceived social support and do not have a well-functioning family, have higher tendency towards drug misuse. This finding was consistent with the findings of previous similar studies. People with low perceived social support and family dysfunction are more likely to use drugs based on synergy of these two negative factors (7, 27, 28). Proper family functioning is essential for individual, family and community health. On the other hand, social support in its various forms (family, friends, and significant others) is among protective factors against risky behaviors such as drug use. Previous studies also considered deficiencies in the support (from family and community), the main predictor of behavioral problems in adulthood; therefore, the more perceived social support from family and significant others, the less likelihood of high-risk behavior, including drug use (29).
Due to the student sample recruited in the current study, generalizing the results of the study to other non-college-educated populations is limited. Conducting similar studies in other groups to generalize the results seems to be necessary. Furthermore, it is likely that other variables such as family income level, socioeconomic class, occupation and education level of parents are influential in student tendency towards illicit drug use, which were not investigated in the current study.
5.1. Conclusion
Strengthening social support and improving constructive and positive family functions can reduce students' tendency toward illicit drug use. Conversely, weak social networks and lack of constructive communication between individual and society and existence of stressful family environment are among factors responsible for youth and students’ tendency towards drug misuse. Since family and society are the most fundamental underlying basis of pre-illicit drug use stage, preventative measures should be taken in the form of family life education, life skills training, educational practices and proper social interaction, etc. to save the gifted youngsters from drug use. Social interactions of teenagers should be taken into consideration and by creating and strengthening emotional atmosphere in the family, likely inclination of at-risk youth to drug misuse can be prevented.
