Factors shaping substance use by young people in Wales

Abstract

This paper examines the prevalence of, frequency of and factors underpinning, substance use by young people. The research augments previous exploration of the causes of youth drug use by integrating factor analysis into traditional statistical techniques to identify composite risk factors for different forms of drug use (any drugs, soft drugs, hard drugs, inhalants) by the youth population in Wales. The existing risk‐focused research literature is further extrapolated through detailed investigation of the relative salience of risk factors by specific gender and age group in the Welsh sample. Reported drug use by the whole sample and specific sub‐groups generally accorded with the findings of previous research with equivalent age groups in Wales, the UK and Europe. Those factors exerting the most influence upon youth drug use were: anti‐social behaviour/attitudes, drug‐related behaviour/attitudes, negative thinking, psychological problems and behavioural problems. This study affords a first tentative step on the road to a more comprehensive and sensitive exploration of the role of composite risk factors in drug taking behaviour by young people. Findings imply the need for comprehensive, multi‐dimensional drug prevention programmes addressing multiple and composite risk factors, targeted appropriately upon specific sub‐groups of the youth population.