Personal Variables of Protection against Cannabis Use in Adolescence: The Roles of Emotional Intelligence, Coping Styles, and Assertiveness as Associated Factors

Abstract

(1) Background: Many public bodies have warned of the increased consumption of cannabis, particularly among adolescents. From the Positive Youth Development approach, the promotion of personal protective factors takes on special importance against some risks, such as the consumption of addictive substances. (2) Methods: This research is one of the first to study the role of trait and ability emotional intelligence in relation to cannabis use and with respect to other personal variables of protection, such as coping styles and assertiveness. For this purpose, a final sample of 799 schoolchildren was obtained. (3) Results: After controlling for age and gender, the results of the regression analyses revealed that emotional perception, emotional facilitation, emotional clarity, emotional repair, active coping style, and assertiveness were inversely and significantly associated with cannabis use behaviors. On the other hand, the emotional attention and avoidant coping style factors were positively and significantly associated with these behaviors. (4) Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence that could be useful in terms of guiding health-promoting clinical and educational interventions at an early age.

Learning through Challenges and Enigmas: Educational Escape Room as a Predictive Experience of Motivation in University Students

“…Despite this, there are many studies that confirm the positive results of the use of gamification on student motivation and learning [5]. This is why the data from this study are in line with the evidence from the previous literature that some university students in their first years may not have or make use of fundamental skills to successfully cope with the demands of academic life [41][42][43][44], experiencing demotivation and loss of interest, physical and mental exhaustion, and lower academic performance [1][2][3]. It is worth highlighting at this point the relevant role of the teacher as a facilitator of stimulating experiences that strengthen intrinsic motivation and the socio-affective and cognitive development of students [45][46][47].…”

Cannabis Use and Emotional Intelligence in Adolescents during COVID-19 Confinement: A Social Network Analysis Approach

“…The literature indicates that EI is associated with cannabis use. A study conducted among Spanish adolescents shows that the dimension of attention correlates positively with cannabis use, while emotional clarity and repair are negatively associated [32]. Otherwise, a previous study conducted in Hungarian adolescents points to a weak relationship between EI and substance use, where multiple linear regression indicates that although it is not a key factor in use habits, it shows an individual effect on use [33].…”

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