[Substance use among adolescents: Addiction or self-handicap strategy?]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Context:

• Self-handicapping strategies are behavioral tactics used to protect self-worth.
• These strategies are often employed before performance-based assessments or competitions.

Purpose:

• To explore the role of psychoactive substance use as a self-handicapping strategy.
• To understand how substance use impacts self-perception following success or failure.

Summary:

• Psychoactive substance consumption can function as a self-handicapping mechanism.
• It provides an external attribution for failure, thereby protecting competence.
• Success achieved despite substance use can enhance self-perception.

Impact:

• Highlights the psychological functions of substance use beyond physiological effects.
• Offers insights into self-protective behaviors in performance contexts.
• Informs interventions addressing self-esteem and substance use.