The relationship between adolescents' emotional intelligence levels and substance abuse protection self-efficacy

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between adolescents' emotional intelligence levels and their self-efficacy for protection from substance abuse. Material and method: This research was carried out with 972 attending high school education affiliated to Ardahan Province National Education Directorate in the 2024-2025 academic year. Data werw collected using a Personal Information Form, Substance Addiction Protection Self-Efficacy Scale for Adolescents and Rotterdam Emotional İntelligence Scale.The study used a relational screening model, a quantitative research method. SPSS v.25 program was used in the statistical analysis of the study. Independent groups t-test, one-way variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis were used for the analysis of the data obtained. Results: It has been determined that adolescents have high levels of emotional intelligence and self-efficacy to protect themselves from substance abuse. A significant difference was found in the total of students self-efficacy to protect themselves from substance addiction in terms of gender, age and mother's education level variables; in the total of their emotional intelligence levels in terms of gender and grade level variables. A moderately significant positive correlation was found between adolescent'emotional intelligence levels and their self-efficacy to protect themselves from substance addiction. Conclusion: As adolescents' emotional intelligence levels increase, their self-efficacy to protect themselves from substance addiction increases, and their emotional intelligence levels significantly predict their self-efficacy to protect themselves from substance addiction. Keywords: Adolescent, Emotional intelligence, Self-efficacy, Substance abuse protection