Impact of stress, loneliness, and emotional dysregulation on drug use potential among middle school students in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: This study is a descriptive survey examining the effects of stress, loneliness, and emotional dysregulation on adolescents' potential for drug use. METHODS: Data were collected through face-to-face surveys conducted between August 28 and September 11, 2023, with a sample of 118 second-year students from a middle school in South Korea. The survey questionnaire included items on general characteristics, substance-related characteristics, adolescent stress, loneliness, emotional dysregulation, and drug use potential. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant differences in drug use potential based on academic achievement, school satisfaction, family relationship satisfaction, economic status, smoking experience, and substance use history. Furthermore, drug use potential showed a significant positive correlation with stress, loneliness, and emotional dysregulation. The key predictors of drug use potential were loneliness in family relationships, emotional dysregulation, and school satisfaction with a total explanatory power of 33.8%. CONCLUSION: To prevent adolescent drug use potential, it is essential to develop and implement nursing intervention programs that reduce family-related loneliness, provide support for emotional regulation difficulties, and promote smoking prevention.