Protective and risk factors of substance abuse among state universities students

Identifying variables that affect substance abuse is one of necessary actions to design any prevention programs. This study has been performed among students of state universities to investigate through protective and risk factors in case of substance abuse (cigarette, hookah, opium, and alcoholic drinks). Current research is basic research according to aim and causal- effect according to method. Research population consisted all of bachelor students of state universities. Sample of study was selected by using multistage stratified random sampling method. The sample included 8373 students who were randomly selected considering sex, faculty, and dormitory distribution factors. As data collection instrument, Substance Abuse Prevalence Questionnaire (Bolhari, Taromian & Peiravi, 1385) was used. The collected data are analyzed by t-test and Chi-Square. The findings showed that being male, age between 18-21, single parent experience, psychological and economic problems are of risk factors lead to substance abuse. Attending parents, family emotional support and acceptance, religious attitudes, religious and cultural activities were of protective factors to prevent individual from substance abuse. Based on the study findings, universities, by implementing proper creational, cultural and religious programs, could play a protective role in preventing students from substance use.