2.2. Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use among Adolescents
Adolescence is a critical period for substance use initiation [The problem behavior theory [The theory posits that the protective and risk factors have a direct relation with risk behavior, while the protective factors have a moderating effect on the impact of the risk factor on risk behavior. Four types of risk and protective factors have been identified in the theory. The protective factors are: (1) Models protection—having role models in the adolescent’s social environment that engage in pro-social behaviors; (2) Control protection—having individual and social controls against engaging in risky behaviors; (3) Supports protection—having a social support system for positive and pro-social behavior; and (4) Behavior protection—experience with engagement in pro-social or protective behaviors. The risk factors identified are (1) Model risk—having models who engage in risk behaviors; (2) Opportunity risk—having opportunities to engage in risk behaviors; (3) Vulnerability risk—an individual’s vulnerability to engage in risk behaviors; and (4) Behavior risk—experience with engaging in risk behaviors [