This survey study explores the relationship between area-specific perceived self-competence, perceived social support, gender, and substance use in young adolescents.

Questionnaires were administered to 140 male and 131 female adolescents attending middle school to assess self-perception of competencies, social support, and substance use. Correlations were performed between the predictor variable and the substance use measures. Hierarchical multiple regressions were also used to identify potential interactions between gender, perceived competencies, and perceived social support in the prediction of specific substances.

Higher perceived scholastic competence was associated with less substance use in both genders. In boys, more perceived support from teachers, and to a lesser degree parents, was associated with less substance use, particularly in those with low scholastic competence. In girls, social support was unrelated to substance use except for support from classmates, which was associated with more cigarette and marijuana use. However, in girls with low scholastic competence, more support from peers was consistently associated with more substance use.

The gender differences in risk factors for early substance use identified in this study deserve further investigation, in view of their potential relevance for adolescent substance abuse prevention and early intervention. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1997, 36(7):933–940.