title: School-related predictors of smoking, drinking and drug use: evidence from the Belfast Youth Development Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether students' school engagement, relationships with teachers, educational aspirations and involvement in fights at school are associated with various measures of subsequent substance use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were drawn from the Belfast Youth Development Study (n = 2968). Multivariate logistic models examined associations between school-related factors (age 13/14) and substance use (age 15/16).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two factors which were consistently and independently associated with regular substance use among both males and females were student-teacher relationships and fighting at school: positive teacher-relationships reduced the risk of daily smoking by 48%, weekly drunkenness by 25%, and weekly cannabis use by 52%; being in a fight increased the risk of daily smoking by 54%, weekly drunkenness by 31%, and weekly cannabis use by 43%. School disengagement increased the likelihood of smoking and cannabis use among females only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research should focus on public health interventions promoting positive relationships and safety at school.
authors: Institute of Child Care Research, School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Perra
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Fletcher
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Bonell
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Higgins
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: McCrystal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*