Family Environment, Peer Pressure, and Social Media Exposure in Relation to Substance-Use Experience Among Adolescents in Pattambi Block, Kerala
Abstract: Adolescent substance use occurs within interconnected family, peer, and digital contexts. This study examined family environment, peer pressure, and social-media exposure in relation to reported substance-use experience among adolescents in Pattambi Block, Palakkad district, Kerala. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional design was used. Seventy-four adolescents aged 11-19 years were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering family environment, peer pressure, social-media exposure, and substance-use behaviour. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, reliability analysis, and multiple linear regression were used. Among 74 participants, 36 (48.6%) reported trying tobacco/smoking, 37 (50.0%) reported trying alcohol, and 32 (43.2%) reported trying both. Family environment was inversely associated with reported substance-use experience (r = -.482, p 2 = .390; adjusted R2 = .363). Peer pressure (β = .421, p = .002) and social-media exposure (β = .214, p = .035) made significant unique contributions; family environment did not (β = -.132, p = .310). A more supportive family environment was associated with less reported substance-use experience, while greater peer pressure and social-media exposure were associated with greater reported experience. Because the study was cross-sectional, these findings represent associations and do not establish causality.
Keywords: adolescent substance use; family environment; peer pressure; social media exposure; tobacco; alcohol; Pattambi; Kerala
How to Cite?: Martina Sunny, Dr. Hemanth Babu, "Family Environment, Peer Pressure, and Social Media Exposure in Relation to Substance-Use Experience Among Adolescents in Pattambi Block, Kerala", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1943-1948, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26927203207, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26927203207