Some Factors Associated with Substance Abuse among Secondary School Students in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate factors associated with involvement in substance abuse in Trinidad and Tobago, through a survey of 1603 secondary school students, aged fourteen to eighteen years. Analysis of the data using the Chi-square test indicates a significant association (p < .001) between involvement in substance abuse and the following factors: grades at school, importance of religious involvement, amount of spending money obtained, confidence placed in parents/peers, parental involvement in alcohol consumption and educational expectations. Generally, the study indicates that youth less committed to traditional values, show a greater tendency to be involved in substance abuse. Involvement also appears to be associated with low self esteem and low educational expectations.