Social influence processes and life orientation in risk perception of drug use among undergraduates

Abstract

The current study investigated the role of social influence processes: informational social influence and normative social influence, and life  orientation in risk perception of drug use. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 380 undergraduates were recruited using a random sampling technique. Results reveal that within the study sample, which comprised university undergraduates, social influence processes, whether informational or normative, did not influence reported risk perception of drug use. In the same way, life orientation did not also correlate with risk perception of drug use but shows possibility of significant influence at a little above the .05 significant level (p = .059). However, gender showed a significant relationship with risk perception of drug use with females more likely to perceive risk of using drugs than their male counterparts. These results could mean very much to researchers on drug use when we consider other levels of interrelationships among variables. The result indicates that differences in how men and women are socialized form an orientation pattern for each of the sexes and each gender continues in the determined path from generation to generation. An important strategy therefore for men to strengthen their risk perception of dangerous situations is to forge a knit relationship with a network of female folks such as mothers, sisters, co-workers, acquaintances and wives. Female relations on their own part should ensure that they keep a tap on their male relatives and associates show absolute loyalty and allegiance to be able to employ either kinship synergies or diverse forms of sexual politics to restrain them from unwanted and risky behaviours.