What Is The Best Predictor Of The Intensity Of The Psychoactive Substances Use In Teens Of Togo Between Externalized Symptoms, Internalized Symptoms And Prosocial Behaviors?

The presence of externalized or internalized symptoms in teens increases the chance of developing the psychoactive substances use (alcohol, cannabis and tobacco). Externalized or internalized symptoms and substances use are indicators of poorer quality of life. On the other hand, the increase in prosocial behaviors is associated with a better psychological well-being. However, the links between prosocial behaviors and substances use remain unclear. Moreover, externalized symptoms, internalized symptoms and prosocial behaviors were scarcely competed in the explanation of substances use in adolescents. Therefore, this study aims to investigate among these factors the specific patterns of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption by determining the most important predictor of the intensity of the consumption of each substance. Data were collected from 78 students aged 12 to 18 from Togo, including 66 boys, using self-reported questionnaires. The results show that externalized symptoms are systematic predictors of the intensity of substances use in these adolescents, regardless of the product. The explanatory variances of internalized symptoms (for cannabis) and prosocial behaviors (for tobacco) are shared by externalized symptoms. In conclusion, these results suggest a weak presence of prosocial behaviors, a moderate presence of internalized symptoms and a strong presence of externalized symptoms in teens with poorer adjustment by a heaviest substances using. (C) 2019 Societe Francaise de Psychologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.