Prediction of Substance Use Tendency based on Outcome Expectancies, Parental Monitoring, and Resistance to Peer Influences

Objective: The present research aimed to predict substance use tendency based on outcome expectancies, parental monitoring, and resistance to peer influences. Method: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the research included all students of Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran in 2019-2020, of which 419 people were selected using convenience sampling method. Research tools included the adolescent risk-taking scale, the cognitive assessment of high-risk events scale, the resistance to peer influences scale, and the parental monitoring strategies scale. Pearson's correlation and stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between positive outcome expectations and substance use tendency, and negative and significant relationships of resistance to peer influences, parental monitoring, parental control, and parental request with substance use tendency. The results of regression also indicated that 56% of the variance of substance use tendency was predictable based on positive outcome expectations, resistance to peer influences, and parental monitoring. Conclusion: According to the findings, measures can be taken in order to correct individuals' expectations regarding the positive consequences of substance use, enhance resistance to peer influences, and increase parental monitoring, which will ultimately lead to reduced substance use.