Self-esteem and Decision-Making Styles as Psychological Predictors of Substance Use Tendency Among University Students: A Cross-sectional Study
| Author | Reza Valizadeh | en |
| Author | Sajad Sohrabnejad | en |
| Author | Sehat Aibod | en |
| Orcid | Reza Valizadeh [0000-0002-5912-4898] | en |
| Orcid | Sajad Sohrabnejad [0000-0003-2910-7568] | en |
| Orcid | Sehat Aibod [0000-0001-8386-9112] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-03-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Substance use tendency among university students poses a significant mental health concern and may be influenced by psychological factors such as self-esteem and decision-making styles. Identifying key predictors provides a basis for targeted preventive interventions. Objectives: The present study aimed to predict substance use tendencies based on self-esteem levels and decision-making styles among university students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical, correlational study was conducted among 200 students from a medical sciences university in western Iran, selected via multistage cluster sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Cronbach’s α = 0.79), decision-making styles (Scott and Bruce Decision-Making Styles Questionnaire, subscales α = 0.76 - 0.84), and substance use tendency (Addiction Readiness Scale, α = 0.79). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, multiple regression, and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis). Results: The mean scores of addiction tendency and self esteem were respectively and the mean self-esteem score was 28.65 ± 5.12. Multiple regression analysis showed that the model explained 46% of the variance in addiction tendency [R² = 0.46, Adjusted R² = 0.44, F (6,193) = 27.41, P < 0.001, Durbin-Watson = 1.92, Cohen’s f² = 0.85 indicating a large effect]. Among predictors, self-esteem (β = -0.32, P < 0.001, partial f² = 0.11) and rational decision-making style (β = -0.23, P < 0.001, partial f² = 0.06) were significant negative predictors, while dependent (β = 0.19, P = 0.002, partial f² = 0.04), spontaneous (β = 0.29, P < 0.001, partial f² = 0.10) and avoidant (β = 0.18, P = 0.002, partial f² = 0.03) styles were significant positive predictors of addiction tendency. The intuitive style was not a significant predictor (β = 0.06, P = 0.256). Non-parametric findings showed that male students had higher addiction tendency ranks than females (U = 3850.50, P < 0.001, r = 0.28) and significant differences occurred across faculties (H = 9.45, P = 0.05, η² = 0.04). Conclusions: These findings highlight the important roles of self-esteem and cognitive decision-making styles in predicting substance use tendency among students. Interventions that enhance self-esteem, promote rational decision-making, and address maladaptive cognitive styles may effectively reduce addiction vulnerability in this population. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijhrba-169958 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/ijhrba/articles/169958 | en |
| Keyword | Substance Use Tendency | en |
| Keyword | Self-esteem | en |
| Keyword | Decision-Making Styles | en |
| Keyword | University Students | en |
| Keyword | Prevention | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Self-esteem and Decision-Making Styles as Psychological Predictors of Substance Use Tendency Among University Students: A Cross-sectional Study | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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