Some factors associated with substance abuse among secondary school students in Trinidad and Tobago - abstract

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study done in 1988 was to explore the relationship between substance abuse and attitudes of youth towards education, religion and family life in secondary school students, aged 14 to 18 years in Trinidad and Tobago. A random stratified sampling technique resulted in a selection of 30 secondary schools and 2000 students. Data were collected from 1,603 (80 per cent) students, using a self-administered questionnaire completed in the classroom and supervised by trained survey workers. Analysis of the data, using the Chi-square test, indicated a significant association (p<.001) between involvement in substance abuse (defined as regular or occasional usage of alcohol, marijuana or cocaine) and the following factors grades at school, importance of religious involvement, amount of spending money obtained, confidence placed in parents/peers, parental involvement in alcohol consumption and educational expectations. Generally, the study indicated that youths who were less committed to traditional values, showed a greater tendency to be involved in substance abuse. Involvement also appeared to be associated with low self-esteem and low educational expectations (AU)