Adolescents’ self-efficacy in preventing substance addiction and associated factors

Context and relevance. Substance addiction is a serious public health problem that can generally occur during adolescence. Since this problem will lead to many more complex problems, it is very important to determine what protective factors adolescents can have in this regard. Objective. This descriptive study aimed to assess adolescents’ self-efficacy in preventing substance addiction and to identify the associated influencing factors. Hypothesis. There is a positive relationship between adolescents' self-efficacy levels for protecting themselves from substance addiction and their addiction protection behaviors. Methods. The research was conducted between September and December 2024 in a high school setting. The sample comprised 448 students who voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected using a personal information form and the Self-Efficacy Scale for Substance Addiction Protection. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of participants was 15.49 ± 1.16 years. Of the participants, 46.4% were female, 30.8% were in the 10th grade, and 64% lived in nuclear families. The mean total score on the self-efficacy scale was 101.83 ± 14.82. Self-efficacy levels were found to be higher among female students, 12th graders, those whose fathers were retired, and those reporting positive family relationships, better parental relationships, and higher income levels. Conclusion: The findings indicate that family dynamics, social relationships, and adolescents' self-perception significantly influence self-efficacy in preventing substance use. Programs aimed at enhancing adolescents’ development in these domains may contribute to the prevention of substance addiction.