Factors Influencing Legal Substance Use Behaviors among Vocational Students in Eastern Region, Thailand
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Abstract
This cross-sectional research aimed to examine factors influencing legal substance use behaviors among vocational students in the Eastern Region, Thailand. The samples were students randomly recruited from vocational schools in the Eastern Region, Thailand using multistage cluster sampling. Self-reported questionnaires were used for data collection including 1) personal data record form 2) Substance Abuse Behavior Scale 3) Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale 4) Substance Use Risk Profile Scale, and 5) Depression Anxiety Stress Scale: DASS-21. The CVI values were in the range of 0.89 - 1. The reliability of the third to fifth questionnaires was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, yielding values of 0.81, 0.75 and 0.86 respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. The results showed that 45.48% of the sample used legal substances in the past 3 months with 48.8%, 41.6%, and 3.4% of all legal substances coming from alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis respectively. The majority of those utilizing legal substances (80.9%) were men. The multivariate logistic analysis found that the average academic performance level (GPA) was within the range of 3.01 - 4.00 (ORAdj = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12 - 0.58), insufficient income (ORAdj = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14 - 2.26), having part-time work (OR Adj = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.20 - 2.23), having a friend who used drugs in the past (ORAdj = 3.59, 95% CI: 2.39 - 5.39) and having a friend currently using substance (ORAdj = 5.14, 95% CI: 3.64 - 7.27) had statistical significant influence with current legal substance use behaviors in the past 3 months. Therefore, enhancing life skills related to choosing friends. As well as other skills such as life skills and refusal skills. And provide resources to support students who are in financial need.
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