Predictors of attitude toward substance users: a field study in Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives We determine the factors related to the attitudes toward substance users and how these factors predict attitudes. Methods The research was a field study. The control variables were gender and occupation. Health workers, teachers, prison guards, shopkeepers, university students, bartenders, and professional athletes were chosen by lottery method of simple random sampling. 350 people were reached. Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test, Addiction Profile Index Risk Scanning Scale-Alcohol, and Addictive Material Attitude Scale were used. T-test, ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc test, analysis of effect size, and linear regression model were used. Results Gender (1%), marital status (2%), residence (4%), occupation (9%), NUD (2%), risky alcohol use (12%), having people with AUD in the social circle (1%), having a substance user in the social circle (20%), being in a substance use environment (16%); neighborhood characteristics as crime (9%), drug use (5%), illicit drug selling (7%) were found predictors of the attitude. Conclusions Demographical factors like being single, being a bartender, living with friends; substance-related risk factors; neighborhood characteristics like high crime, substance use, and illicit drug selling were predictors of positive attitude. Identifying the factors explaining the positive attitude will guide the determination of prevention and protection programs for society.