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Protective and Risk Predictors in the Development of Drug Use

NCJ Number
164641
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (1996) Pages: 25-37
Author(s)
J Gerevich; E Bacskai
Date Published
1996
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The relationship of risk and protective factors to the development of drug abuse in Hungary was studied using two samples: one consisted of schoolchildren ages 10-15 years and the other consisted of drug addicts who came to a treatment center during 1990-91.
Abstract
The research used the Hirschi model of protective factors. The samples included 1,111 elementary students, 1454 secondary school students, and 170 addicts. The students completed self-report questionnaires. The data from addicts came from structured psychiatric interviews. Results revealed that the most important protective factors (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief) act against drug use. A surprising finding was that among the predictive factors for the addicts, some forms of escape from the family act against the development of drug use and thus can be regarded as a protective factor. Findings underscore the complexity of the vulnerability and protective relationships and the need for further research. Figures and 14 references