VOlUME 05 ISSUE 05 May 2026
1Prof. Dr. Pamir DİRİL, 2Sema Deviren
1St. Clements University/Department of Psychology Lecturer/U.K
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8913-343X
2St. Clements University/Psychology Department Master's Student
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9286-8821
DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i5n29Google Scholar Download Pdf
ABSTRACT
This study examines the effects of substance use on individuals across a broad range of domains, from social relationships and family bonds to academic performance, criminal tendencies, and psychological health. Substance addiction is a complex condition that significantly reduces quality of life and is influenced by various factors. These factors include loneliness, family conflicts, academic difficulties, criminal tendencies, and depression. In this study, a correlational survey model and quantitative analysis methods were used to evaluate the relationship between substance use and these factors within a scientific framework. The sample of the study consisted of 500 participants, including high school and university students aged between 15 and 24. In the data collection process, valid and reliable scales were employed, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Friendship Quality Scale (FQS), the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), the Antisocial Behaviours Scale (ABS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). In the data analysis process, correlation and multiple regression analyses, together with statistical significance tests, were used to examine the relationships among these variables. This approach provided a scientific basis for understanding the multidimensional effects of substance use on individuals. Previous research indicates that substance use has a negative impact on social relationships, leading to increased feelings of loneliness and changes in the individual’s social environment. A significant relationship has also been found between family conflicts and substance use, suggesting that individuals with limited family support are more likely to engage in substance use. In terms of academic achievement, substance use has been found to reduce students’ performance, while individuals with low academic motivation are more likely to use substances. In addition, substance use has been associated with a tendency toward criminal behaviour, and antisocial behaviours have been found to be more common among substance users. From the perspective of psychological health, substance use has been shown to increase levels of depression, and individuals with poorer psychological well-being tend to use substances more frequently. This study provides empirical support for the proposed hypotheses and suggests that substance use is significantly associated with individuals’ social, academic, behavioural, and psychological experiences. By examining substance use through a multidimensional framework, the research may contribute to the development of prevention and intervention strategies. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening social support mechanisms, improving family communication, supporting academic motivation, and providing psychological assistance for young individuals at risk of substance use.
KEYWORDS:Substance use, social relationships, family support, academic achievement, criminal tendency, psychological health, addiction.
REFERENCES1) Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4(6), 561-571. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004
2) Belsley, D. A., Kuh, E., & Welsch, R. E. (1980). Regression diagnostics: Identifying influential data and sources of collinearity. John Wiley & Sons.
3) Brook, D. W., Morojele, N. K., Pahl, K., & Brook, J. S. (2019). Drug use and its social impact. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(3), 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2018.1529863
4) Brook, J. S., Whiteman, M., Gordon, A. S., & Cohen, P. (1998). Dynamics of childhood and adolescent personality traits and adolescent drug use. Developmental Psychology, 34(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.34.1.21
5) Bukowski, W. M., Hoza, B., & Boivin, M. (1994). Measuring friendship quality during pre- and early adolescence: The development and psychometric properties of the Friendship Qualities Scale. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 11(3), 471-484. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407594113001
6) Ennett, S. T., Bauman, K. E., Foshee, V. A., Pemberton, M., & Hicks, K. A. (2006). Parent-child communication about adolescent tobacco and alcohol use: What do parents say and does it affect youth behavior? Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(1), 48-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00048.x
7) Epstein, N. B., Baldwin, L. M., & Bishop, D. S. (1983). The McMaster family assessment device. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 9(2), 171-180. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1983.tb01497.x
8) Farrington, D. P. (1995). The development of offending and antisocial behavior from childhood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 36(6), 929-964. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1995.tb01342.x
9) Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2008). Conduct and attentional problems in childhood and adolescence and later substance use, abuse, and dependence: Results of a 25-year longitudinal study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 93(1-2), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.09.009
10) Field, A. (2017). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). Sage.
11) Finn, J. D. (1989). Withdrawing from school. Review of Educational Research, 59(2), 117-142. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543059002117
12) Gujarati, D. N., & Porter, D. C. (2009). Basic econometrics (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
13) Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (2022). Risk and protective factors for drug abuse. American Journal of Public Health, 112(1), 12-22. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306472
14) Henry, K. L., Knight, K. E., & Thornberry, T. P. (2012). School disengagement as a predictor of dropout, delinquency, and problem substance use during adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(2), 156-166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9665-3
15) Loeber, R., & Farrington, D. P. (2000). Young children who commit crime: Epidemiology, developmental origins, risk factors, early interventions, and policy implications. Development and Psychopathology, 12(4), 737-762. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579400004107
16) Russell, D., Peplau, L. A., & Cutrona, C. E. (1980). The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: Concurrent and discriminant validity evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(3), 472-480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.39.3.472
17) Skinner, H. A. (1982). The Drug Abuse Screening Test. Addictive Behaviors, 7(4), 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4603(82)90005-3
18) Swendsen, J., Conway, K. P., Degenhardt, L., Glantz, M., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). Mental disorders as risk factors for substance use, abuse, and dependence. Addiction, 105(6), 1117-1128. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02902.x
19) Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson.
20) Vallerand, R. J., Pelletier, L. G., Blais, M. R., Brière, N. M., Senécal, C., & Vallières, E. F. (1992). The Academic Motivation Scale: A measure of intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation in education. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52(4), 1003-1017. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164492052004025
21) Velleman, R. D., Templeton, L. J., & Copello, A. G. (2005). The role of the family in preventing and intervening with substance use and misuse: A comprehensive review of family interventions, with a focus on young people. Drug and Alcohol Review, 24(2), 93-109. https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230500167478
22) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2023). World drug report 2023. United Nations.
Cite this Article:DİRİL, P. D. P., & Deviren, S. (2026). Social, Educational, and Psychological Reflections of Substance Addiction: A Comprehensive Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE HUMANITY & MANAGEMENT RESEARCHS, 5(5), 1189-1203. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i5n29