The role of competence factors in reducing the future risk of drug use among young Swedish men.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the importance of individual competences and risk factors at the age of 18 for future risk of substance misuse. Both behavioural and home-background risk factors were studied.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 7577 18-year-old Swedish conscripts followed for substance misuse up to the age of 36. Information on competence and risk factors was obtained from a survey at conscription. Records of drug use were obtained from official registers; 158 (2%) people were identified as serious adult substance misusers.


RESULTS
Good emotional control and cognitive and social capacity were significantly associated with reduced risk of adult drug use whereas early contact with the police or juvenile authorities and alcohol misuse were the most powerful predictors for increased risk of adult drug misuse in multivariate analyses. The proportion of registered adult drug misuse in conscripts with multiple behavioural risk factors was 13.3% in those with drug experiences in late adolescence, compared with 2.6% in those with no earlier drug-experiences. Subjects with multiple behavioural and home-background risk factors but more than one competence were less likely to develop future substance misuse than those with only one or no competence factor. When analysed in relation to behavioural risks, competence factors are most effective in reducing drug use among subjects belonging to the high-risk category, whereas when analysed in relation to home-background risks personal competences are effective in low, medium and high-risk groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Competences can protect against the development of serious problematic drug use and thus must be considered in preventive efforts.
Stenbacka
M
M
Karolinska Institute, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Magnus Huss Clinic, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. marlene.stenbacka@cspo.sll.se
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003415:Crime; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010551:Personality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*