Negative Life Events, Protective Factors, and Substance-Related Problems

A Study of Resilience in Adolescence

Bibliographic Data

ID21645516
AuthorsOve Heradstveit (0000-0003-0243-4075, NORCE Research AS, corresponding author), Mari Hysing (0000-0001-5303-8879, NORCE Research AS), Kyrre Breivik (0000-0002-2774-9658, NORCE Research AS), Jens Christoffer Skogen (0000-0003-0722-5440, Stavanger University Hospital), Kristin Gärtner Askeland (0000-0003-2031-1052, NORCE Research AS)
Year2023
Volume58
Issue4
Pages471-480
Publication date2023-03-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2022.2161319
PMID36710631
OpenAlexW4318542752
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited52

Background There is compelling evidence for an association between negative life events (NLE) and substance-related problems (SRP) during adolescence. The literature is, however, still limited with regards to protective factors for SRP among adolescents exposed to NLE.Methods A large population-based survey including 9,611 Norwegian adolescents aged 16 to 19 years, comprised the dataset of this study. The main explanatory variable was NLE. The main outcome variable was SRP, assessed by the CRAFFT scale. Potential protective factors were measured with five subscales from the Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ) questionnaire. The potential protective factors and sex were explored as moderators for the associations between NLE and SRP.Results NLE were strongly associated with SRP. Four out of five potential protective factors (i.e., Goal Orientation, Self-confidence, Family Cohesion, and Social Support) showed evidence of a protective-stabilizing effect. Even if they had protective effect across all levels of exposure to NLE, these effects were even stronger for adolescents with high exposure. For Family Cohesion a protective-stabilizing effect was only evident for boys, while a direct protective effect was found for girls. Finally, Social Competence was the only factor that did not show any evidence of promoting resilience toward SRP.Conclusions NLE had a strong relation with SRP in this study. Protective factors buffered against SRP for all adolescents – but particularly so for adolescents who had high exposure to NLE. These findings highlight the need for preventive efforts to strengthen protective factors that may promote resilience among adolescents at risk for SRP

Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Norwegian · Population · Protective factor · Psychological resilience · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Internal Medicine

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