The Interaction of Instrumental as Well as Stimulus Risk Propensity and the Use of Cathinone Derivatives in Early Adulthood. The Mediating Role of Mental Resilience

Introduction: The period of entering adulthood, constituting the transition between adolescence and early adulthood, for many young adults and their families involves a number of developmental tasks and crises that they face. One of the factors that can interfere with this process is the propensity for risk and the associated threat posed by new psychoactive substances. In this context, it seems significant to look for protective factors that weaken the effect of risk factors. Research Aim: The purpose of the study was to identify factors predisposing the use of cathinone derivatives during early adulthood. The study focused on the interaction between stimulus and instrumental risk propensity as well as their direct impact on the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS). It was also examined whether mental resilience is a mediator of this relationship. Method: The study was carried out by means of a diagnostic survey using the CAWI technique. 531 people aged 18–30 were surveyed. The Stimulus and Instrumental Risk Questionnaire (KRSiRI) as well as the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP-26) were used for the measurement. A generic SEM model was created to verify the hypotheses. Results: Using cathinone derivatives during the period of entering adulthood is influenced by a high propensity for stimulus risk and a low propensity for instrumental risk. These traits interact – their higher combined level predicts using NPS. The relationship between stimulus risk and using cathinone derivatives is mediated by high social competences. While high personal competences constitute a protective factor, no such relationship was observed for family competences, which is predicted by a low propensity for stimulus risk. Conclusions: Protective factors against using cathinone derivatives are instrumental risk propensity and personal competence. Whereas, a risk consists in the propensity for stimulus risk, which is mediated in part by high social competences. Individuals who exhibit a high propensity for both types of risk are particularly susceptible to using NPS.