Social support and tendency to substance use among university students in covid-۱۹ pandemic: the mediating role of positive mental health

Background: Given the impact of the Covid-۱۹ pandemic on the rise of substance use among students, it is crucial to recognize the factors that contribute to this trend to implement effective interventions. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how positive mental health acts as a mediator in the tendency towards substance use.Methods: The current study was carried out in ۲۰۲۳ through a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of ۳۴۱ students chosen through the stratified random sampling technique. The Structural Equation Modeling was employed to ascertain the mediating role of positive mental health in the relationship between social support and inclination towards substance usage.Results: Based on the findings, an increment of one unit in social support is associated with an average increase of ۰.۳۴ in positive mental health (β = ۰.۳۴, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and decrease of ۰.۱۸ in the tendency to substance use score on average (β = - ۰.۱۸, p < ۰.۰۰۱). The primary hypothesis of the research, which focuses on the mediating role of positive mental health in the relationship between social support and tendency to substance use, was confirmed.Conclusion: Given that, positive mental health plays mediating role in the relationship between social support and the propensity for substance use among university students. Consequently, it is imperative for pertinent professionals and policymakers to implement prevention initiatives at the individual level, while also offering interventions aimed at limiting access to substances and challenging societal norms that promote substance use at the communal level.

Keywords:

Social Support , Positive Mental Health , Tendency to Substance Use , Students , Covid-۱۹ Pandemic