Effect of social phobia and peer pressure on adolescents' substance use

Aim: This research was carried out to determine the effect of social phobia and peer pressure on adolescents' substance use. Material and Method: This research was conducted in three high schools located in Van Province between November, 09 2015 and July, 04 2017. The population of the research was composed of the students who continued their education in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades in the related high schools. It was aimed to reach all the population of this research. Introductory Information Form, Çapa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents and Peer Pressure Scale were used in data collection process. For the purpose of data analysis, convenient statistical analyses were conducted by using SPSS 21.0 for Windows program. Results: In the study, it was determined that 40.2% of participant students smoked cigarette, 8.5% of them took alcohol and 5.4% of them used volatile substance at least once. Social phobia average of girls (55.78±16.57) in this study was higher compared to boys (53.24±17.20). Social phobia point averages of students who were bad at their courses, smoked cigarette at least once in their lives, smoked cigarette due to their friends, and were currently non-smokers were found higher. Social phobia point averages of students who never took alcohol and were currently non-alcohol users were found higher. An opposite directed relationship was found between Social Phobia Scale point and adolescents' age (p<0.05). Peer pressure point averages of boys (49.83±16.92) who participated to this study were found higher compared to girls (41.83±10.07). Peer pressure point averages of students who had experience of volatile substance use, were active substance user, and whose family members use substance and whose close friends use cigarette/alcohol/drug substance were found higher (p<0.05). A relationship was not found between Peer Pressure Scale and adolescent age, and first time cigarette smoking age. Positive directed relationship was found between social phobia and peer pressure (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was seen that substance use was a common practice among adolescents and substance use had effects on peer pressure and social phobia that was received by young people in terms of many parameters. In the study, it was determined that an increase in social phobia point led to an increase in peer pressure point.