Today’s school, tomorrow’s substance choice

When I was in my eighth year, the “drug group” claimed the territory on the right side of the oval shape. It wasn’t as dramatic as it sounds – almost nine years and teens smoking He talks about his hands-covered cigarettes and his desire to drop out of school. The “drug shirt” hidden beneath the brown and yellow uniform was a flannel checked shirt that showed a secondary uniform that indicated that we belonged somewhere. The older members smoked pots, but my most rebellious achievement in my first year of high school was wearing brown jumpers with thumbs on sleeves that I had excavated in woodworking classes. However, our spot on the right side of the oval shape is a deeper representation of how my recent work with colleagues at Murdoch Children’s Institute, Melbourne University, and Murdoch Children’s Institute at Monash University has finally helped me understand.

Last month, we Published survey results in International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction Drawing from the Australian Temperament Project – one of Australia’s longest-running studies tracking social and emotional development from infancy to adulthood. Following 1,565 participants, we examined how schools belonging to schools ages 15-16 affected substance use across younger adults. Years 19-20, 23-24, and 27-28.

Two factors popped out from our analysis: positive feelings towards school and Confidence Academic ability. Reading these results made me go straight back to that oval shape. None of us believed we could succeed in school. Those early teachers didn’t feel like ally. Our affiliation came from our shared disconnect in the early years of high school. By the last year I had found my place in school and had developed strong connections with teachers and real school belongings. But this was not the case for everyone in my old group.

Our study revealed impressive patterns. Students attributions between the ages of 15 and 16 predicted substance use not only in their early 20s but also in their late 20s. Students with strong school attributions were consistently less likely to use cannabis and illicit substances at all times we measured. This is for those 19-20, 23-24, and even 27-28 years old. Regarding tobacco use, participants were found to have the most potent protective effect of school attribution when they were 19-20 years old. The numbers tell the story. High school attendants were about 25% less likely to use tobacco, cannabis, or illegal substances during their younger adulthood.

But here’s what fascinates me: School attribution had no significant impact on drinking rates. This may reflect something clear about Australian youth culture and our early legal drinking age. Even strong school connections do not easily override these broader social influences.

I ponder these findings and think about the particular face from its oval lunch break. What possibilities have been opened or closed based on where we found a sense of belonging? The research now supports what I feel. Helping students find their place in school is not just their mental health (We have also found the advantages for thatin another study we did). After that, you can shape your choices for years.

Our study of school attribution provides evidence that can reconstruct how we think about drug use prevention. My own path changed when I found different ways to join school. Our research suggests that it is not just anecdotes, but an approach that allows educators, school leaders, parents and other school community members to inform how to support students. Substance use prevention strategies can focus on helping students find meaningful ways to belong to school.