The influence of peers on the consumption of Psychoactive Substances among university students

Among the numerous social influence factors, university students are sensitive to the behavior of their peers, which is considered a robust psychosocial predictor of the consumption of psychoactive substances. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of peers who consume psychoactive substances on the consumption of these same substances by university students. This is a cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample (n = 840) of Portuguese university students. Data were collected through an anonymous and previously validated self-report questionnaire consisting of questions about the consumption of psychoactive substances and the consumption of these substances by their peers. The results identified a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use (20.1%, 22.2% and 60.0% of students were smokers, illicit drug users and had excessive alcohol consumption, respectively). Most of the inquired students reported having friends who were users of tobacco (84.8%), illicit drugs (52.3%) and alcohol (93.9%). The consumption of psychoactive substances was positively associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances by peers. These results have practical implications for research and intervention in health education in Higher Education. On the one hand, it shows the importance of higher education institutions to regularly monitor unhealthy behaviors and, on the other hand, that intervention programs should enable students to make conscious and positive decisions, promoting the development of skills to regulate the emotions and the active participation of the closest social networks.