Differentiation of Psychoactive Drug Users and Non-Users and Prediction of their Using Intention

Abstract

Thirteen Semantic Differential bipolar variables representing various socio-cultural correlates and personality factors of psychoactive drug users as well as non-users were measured from a group of 80 college students and 20 adults of both sexes. Fourty-four drug users within the last six months differed significantly from non-users in their intention of taking psychoactive drugs if provided. No sex differences in intention within either the user or non-user group were found. Significant differences between user and non-user groups covered three broad areas: (1) experiences of personal development, (2) knowledge and attitudes toward drug use of individuals and their peers, and (3) opinions and persuasions of established conventional institutions in politics, church, and social standards. The order of importance of the different variables in predicting the intention of psychoactive drug use (or not use) was also found not the same for both users and non-users of the two sexes.