Shyness as a risk factor for adolescent substance use.
The role of shyness in adolescent substance use was examined in a sample of about 1,300 high school students from 14 senior high schools. Sample members were classified as not-shy, shy, or super-shy based on scores from an established measure of shyness, the Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale. Significant shyness category by gender interaction analysis of variance effects and gender-specific chi-square analyses indicated shy males were more likely to use marijuana or hashish, cocaine, amphetamines, and hallucinogenic substances than not-shy males and females. Further, super-shy males were more likely to report use of most of the substances than shy males. Super-shy females were less likely to drink alcohol than females who were less shy or not-shy. Findings from this study, as well as studies investigating other behavioral problems, suggest shyness may be more a burden for males than for females. Use of certain substances may assist very shy males cope with shyness by reducing psychosocial discomfort and inhibition.
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Division of HPERD, University of Idaho, Moscow 83843.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012792:Shyness; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*