Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use. A Theoretical Review of Internal and External Factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbpsyped.2025.1.02Keywords:
adolescent, personality, cognitive factors, risk behavior, external factorsAbstract
This theoretical review investigates various cognitive factors, personality variables and external influences in the development of adolescent and emerging adults substance use. It summarizes results of existing literature on key personality traits (sensation seeking, impulsivity and sensitivity to reward, neuroticism), with an emphasis on their implication in shaping risk behaviors in the form of drug consumption. This review also explores how cognitive variables like familiarity with substances and risk perception interact in order to influence substance use decisions. Additionally, this article considers the pivotal role of external factors such as family and peer influence on these relationships. By integrating various theoretical and empirical studies, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, but also social aspects of substance use of individuals within this age group, offering insights for possible future research directions, treatment interventions and prevention strategies.
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