Assessing Protective Factors Against Drug Abuse Among High School Students: Self-Control and the Extended Parallel Process Model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess determinant behavioral factors for drug abuse among high school students based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Self-control components were also assessed. A sample of 176 governmental high school students participated in this survey. Information was collected individually through completion of a researcher-designed questionnaire. The results suggested that the EPPM theoretical variables of perceived severity and perceived self-efficacy and an additional variable, self-control, were related to behavior intentions against substance abuse (r squared = 0. 35; F = 17.99; p = 0. 000). Self-control, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived susceptibility were related to attitudes against substance abuse (r squared = 0.27; F = 9.09; p = 0. 000). This study showed that self-control; attitudes against drug abuse, and peer resistance skills were related to adapting the protection motivation process (X2 = 21.15; P < 0. 001). Including self-control as a complementary factor within the EPPM could be effective for designing primary drug abuse prevention programs and predicting pre drug abuse related behaviors. More work is needed to determine whether designs for drug abuse resistance education might be improved if measures of self-control were integrated into EPPM.