An Investigation Into Factors Which Predict Adolescent Substance Use.

Adolescent substance use is a significant problem in the UK. The literature suggests that impulsivity and self-esteem predict substance use in young people but less attention has been paid to the role of variables related to self-concept. 672 individuals aged 14-19 (254 girls; 418 boys) participated in a cross-sectional study assessing the role of shame and self-compassion in predicting alcohol/drug use. Impulsivity and shame predicted alcohol use in girls; in boys self-esteem was also implicated. Impulsivity predicted drug use in girls; no variables were significant in boys. Self-compassion demonstrated no predictive power. The clinical, methodological and theoretical implications are discussed