title: Multi-dimensional self-esteem and substance use among Chinese adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Substance use among adolescents has caused worldwide public health concern in recent years. Overseas studies have demonstrated an association between adolescent self-esteem and substance use, but studies within a Chinese context are limited. A study was therefore initiated to: (1) explore the 30 days prevalence of substance use (smoking, drinking, and drugs) among male and female adolescents in Hong Kong; (2) identify the significant associations between multidimensional self-esteem and gender; and (3) examine the relationship between multi-dimensional self-esteem and substance use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-esteem scale and the Chinese version of the global school-based student health survey were adopted. A total of 1,223 students were recruited from two mixed-gender schools and one boys' school.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among females, there was a lower 30-day prevalence of cigarette, alcohol, and drug use. They also had significantly higher peer and family self-esteem but lower sport-related self-esteem. Body image self-esteem was a predictor of alcohol use among females, while peer and school self-esteem were predictors of drug use among males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, the findings demonstrated the influence of self-esteem to the overall well-being of adolescents. Schools could play a role in promoting physical fitness and positive relationships between adolescents and their peers, family, and schools to fulfill their physical and psychological self-esteem needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China. cynthia.wu@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Cynthia S T
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ho Ting
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Carmen H M
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: Alice Yuen
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Loke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires