H Allahverdipour, Ar Hidarnia, A Kazemnejad, F Shafii, P Azad Fallah, E Mirzaee, K Witte,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (spring 2005)
Abstract
Introduction: An effective preventive health education program on drug abuse can be delivered by applying behavior change theories in a complementary fashion.
Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of integrating self-control into Extended Parallel Process Model in drug substance abuse behaviors. A sample of 189 governmental high school students participated in this survey. Information was collected individually by completing researcher designed questionnaire and a urinary rapid immuno-chromatography test for opium and marijuana.
Results: The results of the study show that 6.9% of students used drugs (especially opium and marijuana) and also peer pressure was determinant factor for using drugs. Moreover the EPPM theoretical variables of perceived severity and perceived self-efficacy with self-control are predictive factors to behavior intention against substance abuse. In this manner, self-control had a significant effect on protective motivation and perceived efficacy. Low self- control was a predictive factor of drug abuse and low self-control students had drug abuse experience.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that an integration of self-control into EPPM can be effective in expressing and designing primary preventive programs against drug abuse, and assessing abused behavior and deviance behaviors among adolescent population, especially risk seekers
