Family risk and protective factors for drug use by adolescents

This study main objective was to analyze of certain family variables in adolescent drug use. A sample of 1570 adolescents of both sexes from the Autonomous Community of Madrid was studied (54.4% men and 45.6% women). The results showed then substances used by adolescents were grouped in three factors called "legal drugs", "illelgal drugs" and "medical drugs", Several stepwise regression analyses were conducted with each one of the three factors and results pointed out showed that the main family factors explaining the use of legal drugs by adolescents were the absence of family norms about drug use, the presence of conflicts between parents and the adolescent and the use of alcohol by the father; on the contrary the most relevant protection factors were having a timetable to go to bed and a good relationship with both parents. The risk and protection Factors for both illegal and medical drugs were also analyzed. These data ought to be taken into account when designing a drug prevention program for adolescents.