Motivations for drug use and problematic outcomes among rural junior high school students

Abstract

Personal, social and experiential motivations for drug use were investigated among rural high school students in terms of problematic outcomes as measured by reported frequency of intoxication and number of social complications. Results indicate that while problematic outcomes are significantly associated with increased number of reported motivations in all categories, when proportion scores are examined only personal effects motivations remain significantly related to problematic use. As suggested by previous research on the relationship of motivation and outcome in the use of alcohol, it seems likely that motivations which link the use of other drugs to a need for alteration of self-perception or for assistance in coping with stress are important in the development of problematic use patterns.