Jul 2026· Journal of Education and Health Promotion· Vol 15· 0 citations· 16 references
Medicine
TL;DR
The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions—particularly about long-term consequences—and for strengthening protective factors in families and peer groups to reduce substance abuse and its health and social impact among young people in India.
Abstract
Background
Substance abuse among adolescents and young people is a growing public health concern, with significant implications for both individuals and society. This study sought to investigate the Perceptions, Perspectives, and Practices (3Ps) related to substance use, as well as explore contextual factors influencing drug and alcohol engagement among youth in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India.
Materials And Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in semi-urban and rural areas of Dehradun, screening 14,203 participants aged 10–24 years through multistage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, which included the standardized and locally-adapted CRAFT and ASSIST screening instruments.
Results
Among the 3290 participants with complete socio-demographic data, 77.0% of males and 41.5% of females reported a family history of drug abuse (P < 0.0001). About 85.4% of participants in the 20–24 age group reported such a history. Regarding perceptions, 70.8% identified cannabis as a highly addictive substance (n = 1959). Knowledge of side effects was limited: less than one-third recognized key physical harms (n = 1493). Analysis of attitudes (n = 3236) revealed that 30.1% to 34.8% believed some drugs like cannabis are not addictive, while 60.6% agreed that even first-time use can lead to addiction. Curiosity, peer pressure, and family history emerged as the most common reasons for initiation, especially among males.
Conclusion
These findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions—particularly about long-term consequences—and for strengthening protective factors in families and peer groups. Systematic, context-aware prevention strategies are essential to reduce substance abuse and its health and social impact among young people in India.
Objective: To assess the pattern of social media usage among adolescent girls and determine its association with psychological well-being using a validated mental health screening tool.
Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Okara, Pakistan, from Oct 24 to Mar 25.
Methodology: A total of 163 female students aged 13 to 19 years were included using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire that included demographic information, Social Media Use (SMU) patterns, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics summarized baseline characteristics, and chi-square tests were applied to examine the association between SMU and mental health outcomes. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was secured.
Results: The mean age of participants was 16.19±2.15 years. Among them, 58.9% reported using social media, with TikTok being the most frequently used platform (19%). Overall, 62.6% of participants fell within the normal range for depression, 71.2% for anxiety, and 48.5% for stress. However, social media users demonstrated significantly higher rates of moderate to extremely severe depression (p=0.002) and stress (p=0.027) compared to non-users. TikTok users exhibited the highest prevalence of severe and extremely severe depression (23.8% and 50%, respectively) and stress (57.1%). No significant association was found between SMU and anxiety levels (p=0.961).
Conclusion: This study reveals a significant association between SMU-particularly TikTok—and increased levels of depression and stress among teenage girls.
Substance use (including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) is a critical public health issue. The use of substances by youth, have potential for harm, including both short-term and long- term implications. Therefore, it is important to understand the function youth perceive substances having in their lives and how this is impacting their life goals and well-being. However, to date, no research has directly explored this. To address this, the current research explored the lived experiences and perspectives of youth in Aotearoa New Zealand on substance use. It examined how they perceive substances influencing their life goals and overall well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten youth participants (aged 15 to 23 years). The interviews were analysed and transcribed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Five interconnected themes were developed: 1) Patterns, progression and changing use over time, 2) Motivations for use, 3) Social, family and cultural influence, 4) Perceptions of risk and evolving awareness and 5) Support, resilience and access to services. Despite acknowledging the challenges associated with substance use participants described a complex and evolving relationship with substances. Substance use was influenced by changing life circumstances, emotional needs and social connections. While some youth viewed substance use as irrelevant or, at times, facilitative to their future aspirations and well-being, others recognised it as a barrier. These findings contribute to deepening our understanding of youth substance use by foregrounding youth voices. This research identified implications for future policy and practice, including more informed education, non-judgmental support and improved access to youth-relevant services. These should relate to substance use, future thinking and well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand. Future research suggestions are also discussed.
In Canada, Black youth are at heightened risk of developing mental health problems as a result of intersecting factors such as racial discrimination, school-related stress, and adverse socio-economic conditions. Few studies have examined Black youths' perceptions of the underlying causes of these mental health problems and the strategies they develop to cope with them. This study aimed to describe Black youth's perceptions of the causes of mental health problems and to examine the actions they report taking to cope with these difficulties, including how they perceive the usefulness and limitations of these actions in restoring or maintaining mental well-being. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 32 self-identified Black youth living in Canada. Participants were recruited using a non-probability, criterion-based strategy through targeted social media advertisements, Black-serving community and religious organizations, and snowball sampling. Eligible participants were aged 15 to 24 years and able to speak French or English Content analysis was performed supported by NVivo. Three main themes were identified: situations impacting mental health, barriers to expressing mental health concerns, and actions taken to feel better. The results highlight the multiple mental health causes faced by Black youth, including difficulties in talking about their mental health problems due to stigma and the invisibility of symptoms. Actions taken by young people to improve their well-being highlight the importance of creating a supportive environment and preventive educational interventions tailored to their specific needs to promote better mental health.
Assumpta Ndengeyingoma, Paola Michelle Garcia Mairena, Sandra Bonilla et al.· Psychology, Health & Medicin...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
This study explored substance use and harm reduction service utilization among rural lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals.
METHODS
A survey explored substance use patterns, history of abuse and stigma, and treatment and support group utilization, with subsequent interviews providing contextual and thematic data. Participants were recruited January to July 2023 in southern Illinois. All completed the survey, and a subset were interviewed. Chi-square and independent samples t-test analyses were conducted on the quantitative data, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used for the interviews (n = 9).
RESULTS
LGB survey participants (n = 17) had similar rates of substance use versus their heterosexual peers (n = 128), but increased frequency of reported adverse childhood experiences (score of 6.71 vs. 3.69; p < 0.001) and post-traumatic stress disorder (score 3.65 vs. 2.44; p = 0.006). Thematically, substance use risk factors included homophobic/biphobic environment(s), childhood trauma/abuse, familial histories of abuse, and mental health disorders.
CONCLUSION
Barriers to treatment and harm reduction service utilization included stigma from clinic staff and police, addiction to treatment medication, long treatment waitlisting, and lack of rehabilitation services. Rural LGB individuals may experience substance use, mental health issues, homonegativity, adverse family histories, and harm reduction barriers, which is reflective of non-LGB rural people who use substances except for homonegativity.
H. Tillewein, Trevor Thompson, Kyle W. Miller et al.· Substance Use & Misuse· 0 citations
Adolescent and young people’s substance use is deeply embedded within family systems, yet the experiences and needs of family members are often overlooked, with greater emphasis typically placed on their role in supporting treatment. Drawing on the stress–strain–coping–support model, this study explored how families experience and respond to youth substance use in a low-resource setting. An exploratory qualitative design was employed, with 19 family members of individuals under the age of 24 receiving treatment for substance-related conditions at a tertiary mental health facility in Harare, Zimbabwe purposively recruited. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Shona or English, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using codebook thematic analysis in NVivo 12. Participants described youth substance use as both a family and community issue, shaped by broader social and structural contexts. Families experienced chronic stress and strain across multiple domains, including financial hardship, relational conflict, and emotional distress. Responses to these challenges were complex and dynamic, ranging from active engagement and support to tolerance and withdrawal. While many participants reported feelings of helplessness, others described developing adaptive coping strategies over time. Participants also highlighted unmet support needs and offered recommendations for more responsive prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. These findings underscore the significant and multifaceted impact of youth substance use on family systems and highlight the importance of family-centred, contextually grounded interventions that address both individual and systemic factors in low- and middle-income African settings.
Chido Rwafa-Madzvamutse, C. van der Westhuizen, W. Mangezi et al.· Discover Psychology· 0 citations
ABSTRACT The literature suggests that religiosity is a protective factor for substance use. However, individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) may actively cultivate their religiosity during substance use. This qualitative study analyzed the perceptions and meanings homeless people attribute to their substance use trajectories and religiosity, as well as the potential connections between these two themes. The analysis was conducted based on the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. A total of 40 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 20 Brazilian and 20 Portuguese participants. The present study found that religiosity can play a role in the substance use trajectory and the development of SUD by offering a subjective sense of protection, serving as a marker for the need for change, or providing relief from the suffering associated with SUD. We discuss how homeless people with SUD experience religiosity and how religious aspects traditionally seen as protective in the literature, such as church attendance, may paradoxically become risk factors for these socially vulnerable populations.
Camila Chagas, L. Martins, T. D. de Paula et al.· Nursing and Health Sciences· 0 citations
