Risk and protective factors for drug abuse in adolescents.: A longitudinal research

Introduction. The aim of the present study was to identify possible risk and protective factors for the development of problems with the use of drugs in adolescents. Methods. A two years follow-up was carried out (from the 2(nd) to the 4(th) year of the Compulsory Secondary Education). Sociodemographic variables, general and eating psychopathology, family functioning and patterns of drugs use were assessed in 1,076 students. Results. After controlling the effect of having problems with the use of drugs at the beginning, cigarettes smoking at the age of 13 years predicted the consumption of alcohol 2 years later and vice versa. Independently of the effect of this association, general psychopathology, body image dissatisfaction and self-harm at the beginning were risk factors for alcohol consumption 2 years later. Moreover, besides female gender and high academic achievements, normal family functioning was a protective factor against the fact of suffering problems with drugs later on. Conclusions. These present findings might have relevance in the development of preventive strategies for the use of drugs in adolescent population.