Abstract:
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of gender and drug avoidance self-efficacy on beliefs and attitudes about substance use in adolescence. Methods: A convenience sample of 353 undergraduate students was recruited from a university in Turkey. The researchers visited departments of the university and conducted interviews with the students in June 2018. The questionnaire was explained to the participants, who then read it and marked their answers on the sheets. In data analysis, t-tests, a general linear model multivariate, automatic linear model, and an roc curve were used. Results: The automatic linear model found that drug avoidance efficacy, gender and perceived general health of descriptive features were predictors, and they had positive effect on the beliefs and attitudes about substance use. Gender and perceived general health predictors were more effective than other predictors. Conclusion: Drug avoidance efficacy, gender, and perceived general health were important predictors of beliefs and attitudes substance use. These predictors constitute positive belief and attitude against substance use. © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.