Protective psychological mechanisms against adolescent cannabis and kratom use: A mixed-methods study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Recent policy changes in northern Thailand have impacted adolescent substance use.
• Understanding protective mechanisms against cannabis and kratom is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine protective factors against adolescent cannabis and kratom use.
• To inform culturally grounded prevention strategies in a changing regulatory environment.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys (n=205) and qualitative focus groups (n=14).
• Analysis included descriptive, multivariate, and thematic analyses.

Main Results:

• Living with parents correlated with better legal/health knowledge of cannabis.
• Urban adolescents demonstrated higher scientific knowledge of kratom.
• Family engagement, cultural norms, and interactive education influenced prevention behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Culturally sensitive prevention strategies are essential for adolescent substance education.
• School-family partnerships can enhance substance literacy and engagement.
• Findings support interventions in post-decriminalization contexts.