Relationship of personality, psychological distress, and substance use with social network characteristics of college going young adults
Background: Causes of substance use are multifactorial. Factors such as personality, psychological distress, and the person’s social ties contribute to the understanding of substance use problems of college students. Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the association between personality tra...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_182_23 |
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| Summary: | Background:
Causes of substance use are multifactorial. Factors such as personality, psychological distress, and the person’s social ties contribute to the understanding of substance use problems of college students.
Aim:
The current study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits and psychological distress with ego-centric social networks of substance-using and non-using college students.
Method:
This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 902 undergraduate students from the government (n = 2) and government-aided (n = 9) colleges. The socio-demographic data sheet, Big Five Personality Inventory, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the semi-structured Ego-centric Social Network Questionnaire were used to collect data.
Results:
Of 902 participants, 26.9% of participants used substances. The mean score of anxiety (P < 0.002) and depression (P < 0.002) was significantly higher among the substance users compared with non-users. Agreeableness (P < 0.001) and conscientiousness (P < 0.001) scores were significantly higher among non-users. Depression (P < 0.01), anxiety (P < 0.01), and stress (P < 0.01) correlated positively with the total number of substance users in the network. Agreeableness (P < 0.01) and conscientiousness (P < 0.01) were positively correlated with parents and siblings in the network. Stress emerged as a predictor (OR 1.61, CI 1.09-3.04, P < 0.001) for considering substance users to the social network.
Conclusion:
Personality and psychological distress are associated with an individual’s social network and significantly contribute to student substance use problems. |
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| ISSN: | 0019-5545 1998-3794 |