Factors influencing substance-use intentions among undergraduate students in northern Thailand: insights from the theory of reasoned action 10.55131/jphd/2026/240115
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Abstract
Substance use among undergraduate students is a growing concern, particularly in Northern Thailand. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing students’ intentions to use substances and identify key predictors using the Theory of Reasoned Action framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 students from the University of Phayao during August–September 2024. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires, and analyses included Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Participants had an average age of 21 years (SD=1.33); 66.0% were female, and 46.0% reported a history of substance use. Notably, 36.2% expressed an intention to use substances. Factors significantly associated with these intentions included gender (p=0.003), relationship status (p=0.005), history of substance use (p<0.001), attitudes (p<0.001), subjective norms (p<0.001), and knowledge (p=0.003). Logistic regression revealed that subjective norms (Adj. OR=3.39, 95% CI=2.002–5.753, p<0.001) and history of substance use (Adj. OR=3.06, 95% CI=1.865–5.028, p<0.001) were the strongest predictors, collectively explaining 32.0% of the variance in substance-use intentions. The findings underscore the critical role of social influences and prior behavioral patterns in shaping substance-use intentions. Efforts to reduce substance use among students should focus on addressing subjective norms and educating students about the risks associated with substance use. Targeted interventions that consider both social dynamics and individual behavioral history are essential to mitigate this issue effectively.
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