Research Methods and Social Science: Factors Influencing Drug Abuse Among Adolescents and Young Adults in New Zealand

This research paper explores the factors that influence drug abuse among adolescents and young adults aged between 16 and 25 years in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The study uses a constructivism research philosophy and a qualitative research design to collect data from 20 participants enrolled in a community welfare center for substance abuse. The data collection instrument is an open-ended questionnaire, and the data analysis procedure involves thematic analysis. The study aims to explore the extent to which social and demographic factors such as age and family culture influence drug use among the chosen population.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODS AND SOCIAL SCEINCE
Research methods and Social Science
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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Table of Contents
Section I – Introduction...................................................................................................................3
Statement of the problem.............................................................................................................3
Rationale of the study..................................................................................................................3
Research question........................................................................................................................4
Section II – Review of literature......................................................................................................5
Literature review..........................................................................................................................5
Glossary.......................................................................................................................................6
Section III – Methodology...............................................................................................................7
Philosophical assumptions or worldview....................................................................................7
Research design...........................................................................................................................8
Participants..................................................................................................................................8
Inclusion criteria, recruitment process.........................................................................................8
Data collection instrument...........................................................................................................9
Data collection procedure............................................................................................................9
Data analysis procedures...........................................................................................................10
Section IV- Significance of the study............................................................................................11
Significance and benefits of the study.......................................................................................11
Positioning the researcher..........................................................................................................11
Section V- Ethical and Cultural consideration..............................................................................12

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Cultural considerations..............................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13
Appendices....................................................................................................................................16

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Section I – Introduction
Statement of the problem
Drug abuse has been a significant topic for research among social science workers who
continually strive to reduce the burden of the behavior within communities. With rapid changes
in environmental dynamics and technology, the outlook and contributory factors behind
extensive drug abuse has witnessed a rapid evolution. For example, modern communication
facilities have led to easy access to drugs among youths (Kendler et al., 2014). The social
contributory factors leading to drug abuse also deserve much attention in this context.
Demographic factors such as family background, age, and factors such as cultural background
and peer pressure contribute considerably to drug abuse (Jalilian et al., 2015). The prevalence of
drug abuse among adolescents grabs the attention since the outcomes of such behavior are far-
reaching, encompassing academic, social and professional spheres (Boden et al., 2016). In
conclusion, the problem can be formulated as “exposure to unstable home environment with
diverse culture, poor family relationships, and association with drug abusing peers lead to drug
taking behavior among adolescents and young adults.
Rationale of the study
Alcohol and drug abuse rates in New Zealand have been on the higher side for the past
two decades. The most commonly used drug is cannabis, and as per a survey undertaken in 2013,
about 11% of individuals reported using cannabis over the past year. As per the reports of Drug
Foundation, New Zealand, the estimated annual cost of illicit drug-related harm is $1.8 billion
which included harms to health, family and to the community as a whole. The country’s
government is likely to spend around $350 million for addressing the issues associated with
increased drug abuse in the country each year (drugfoundation.org.nz, 2016).

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There exists a scarcity of research undertaken to understand the contributing to drug
abuse among the adolescents and young adults, particularly those aged between 16 and 25 years,
residing at different parts of the country. Findings from previous studies have confirmed that
drug abuse the chosen population is a significant social problem in spite of antidrug law
enforcement. Most of the studies that have been undertaken in the recent past have adhered to a
quantitative methodology, as a result of which the perceptions and experiences of the individual
have not been explored extensively. There is therefore a need of conducting qualitative research
to explore the contributory factors for drug abuse from the viewpoints and perceptions of the
chosen population themselves.
Research question
The research to be addressed for the proposed research is as follows-
“What are the factors that influence drugs taking behaviors among adolescents and young adults
aged between 16 and 25 years in New Plymouth, New Zealand?”
Research aim
The proposed study would have the aim of exploring the extent to which social and
demographic factors such as age and family culture influence drug use among adolescents and
young adults aged between 16 and 25 years in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Research Objectives
The research objectives for the proposed study would be as follows-
 To explore the extent to which family background and culture influence drug taking
behavior among the chosen population

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 To understand the extent to which home environment culture influence drug taking
behavior among the chosen population
 To highlight the extent to which peer pressure influence drug taking behavior among the
chosen population
Section II – Review of literature
Literature review
According to McHugh et al., (2015) adolescence is considered as a critical stage in an
individual’s life course since t is a transformative period in one’s life. The use of substances
among this population has been denoted to be a social concern due to the varied impact is has on
a social and personal level. Studies have pointed out a number of factors increasing the risk of
substance use such as early age, family influence, experimental curiosity, personality problems
and lack of supervision. Factors that drive prevention of substance abuse have been identified as
functional family support, effective family relationships, and absence of staunch cultural and
religious beliefs and early identification of risk taking behaviors. Kandel and Kandel (2015) in
this regard had highlighted that individuals begin using drugs at an early age, with the most
vulnerable period being 15-25 years. They are therefore at a greater risk of suffering negative
educational, mental health and psychosocial outcomes as compared to those who begin taking
drugs at a later stage of life. The early initiators initiate the substance use with marijuana and
tobacco, and are more likely to suffer pronounced physical and mental health issues. Though
there exists a rich pool of studies related to the negative impacts of substance use initiation at an
early age, there lies a paucity of studies understanding the contributory factors behind the
scenario (Das et al., 2016).

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As mentioned by Jalilian et al., (2015) family relationships and family background can be
attributed as the most striking contributory factor behind drug use. Communication is the key
factor between an individual and the social environment, and poor and ineffective
communication has a negative influence on the individual, driving drug abuse. Mason et al.,
(2017) gave a clear idea of the characteristic of drug abuse as demonstrated by individuals
engaged in it. Individuals can be attributed to engage in drug abuse when there is an increase in
the frequency of drug use and amount of drug taken over a period. Individuals report to use drugs
for escaping reality and addressing depression. Inconsistent behavior is commonly evident that is
a result of frustrating behavior. Changes in mood and bouts of depression are common. Further,
individuals have deterioration in appearance and personal hygiene. Involvement in criminal
activities is a major issue that is augmented with thoughts of suicide.
Lindberg and Zeid (2017) pinpointed that research over the past two decades have
attempted extensively to determine how individuals start using drugs and the course of
progression. A number of factors add to the risk for drug abuse. Contributory factors can
increase the chances of an individual to continue using drugs in case the protective factors are
not effective. Protective and risk factors differ at different stages of life; however it has been
noted that those at their adolescent stage are more vulnerable to the risk factors. At every distinct
stage, contributory factors to drug use can be challenged through effective prevention measures.
In cases negative behaviors are not controlled appropriately, the outcomes are social difficulties
and failure and academic and professional life.
Glossary
Drug abuse- The concept of drug addiction and drug abuse has been used in an interchangeable
manner by different authors. Drug abuse can be defined as” the state of physical or psychic

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dependence, or both, on a drug following administration of the same on a continuous basis” drug
addiction has been defined as “the state of chronic or periodic intoxication as a result of repeated
use of a drug”.
Adolescence-Adolescence is the period in the life cycle of an individual between adulthood and
childhood, initiating at puberty and ending with young adult hood. This period has been marked
to be having intensive and rapid life adaptations and changes.
Young adult hood- An individual at his young adulthood is said to be between his late teenage
years and late twenties. The opinions and viewpoints of individuals at this stage vary
considerably from those of individuals at a later stage of life (Eiseman, 2017).
Section III – Methodology
Philosophical assumptions or worldview
Constructivism research philosophy is the acknowledgement that reality is the result of
human intelligence in interaction with experiences within the real life setting. As researchers
include human mental activity in the process of uncovering the reality, there is the acceptance of
constructivism. The constructivism research philosophy accepts the reality as the product of
human mind. The underlying concept is that reality is subjective. The research philosophy is
founded on the cognitive psychology (Creswell & Creswell, 2017). The proposed research would
have a constructivism research philosophy that would look deep into the subject of drug abuse as
a result of cognitive experiences of individuals. The research would focus on collecting
participant-generated meanings of information collected. Further, personal values would be
brought to the study. As pointed out by Johnson and Christensen (2008) constructivism research
philosophy established significant agendas for reforms and changes.

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Research design
The proposed research would focus on understanding the contributory factors for drug
abuse. Though quantitative studies have been the primary source for establishing the facts behind
substance abuse prevalence, qualitative studies are crucial for providing related information in a
more in depth manner (Bhattacherjee, 2012). For the proposed research, a qualitative study
would ensure that a naturalistic inquiry is undertaken that seeks an all-inclusive understanding of
the social phenomena of drug abuse. The benefits of using a qualitative research design would be
multivalent, the most notable one being integration of flexibility and openness into the data
collection process. Substantial amount of information can also be generated from a small sample
population (Lichtman, 2006). Less focus would be on data metrics with more emphasis on
unearthing hidden meanings. Superficial responses can also be excavated appropriately with
qualitative research method (Lewis, 2015).
Participants
The research participants would be individuals enrolled in a community welfare centre
for receiving services for substance abuse at New Plymouth. Twenty individuals would be
recruited for the study based on pre set criteria. A purposive sampling would be done for
recruitment of the participants. As pointed put by Taylor et al., (2015) purposive sampling is a
non-probability sampling where the focus is given on units of stud, such as organizations or
cases. The sample size in such cases of sampling is small. The main objective of carrying out a
purposive sampling method would be to given attention to a definite set of features demonstrated
by sample population in alignment to researcher’s interest.
Inclusion criteria, recruitment process
Eligibility criteria are the array of characteristics that potential participants are to
demonstrate for getting selected for a research venture. It is crucial that eligibility criteria are

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responsive to the study’s objectives (Babbie, 2015). For the proposed study, the age of the
participants would be between 16 and 25 years. Recruitment would be done irrespective of
ethnic and religious background; however they would need to speak English. The participants are
to join the welfare setting in the past three months.
Data collection instrument
An open ended questionnaire would serve as the data collection instrument for the
proposed research. The use of such a questionnaire would be valuable for the proposed study.
Open-ended questionnaire would permit the respondents to provide optimal information that
would encompass attitudes and feelings related to the research question. The researcher would be
better able to access the true feelings of the respondents, in contrast to close ended questions
where the real feelings cannot be unearthed. Another advantage of open ended questionnaire is
that the respondents would not be allowed to disregard any question (Taylor et al., 2015). The
questionnaire has been constructed on the basis of previous studies carried out in the similar
direction. Modifications have been considered as per the need of the present study. The
questionnaire has been provided in the appendix.
Data collection procedure
The selected participants are to be contacted over the telephone prior to the data
collection process. At this stage it would be crucial to inform the participants about the nature of
the study and the possible outcomes. The queries of the individuals would be resolved
appropriately and they would be given freedom to ask any questions related to the study. A
formal invitation would be sent out to the participants after they have agreed to take part in the
study. The setting for the data collection process and thee time would be decided upon as per the
convenience of the participants (Babbie, 2015). Interviews would be conducted with the

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participants and it would be pivotal to create a safe environment since the topic of research is
highly sensitive. The interviews are to commence with an introduction of the researcher that sets
in the foundation for the process. the respondents are to be greeted with consideration and
compassion so that they are motivated further. Each interview might last for about one hour
depending on the situation. Audio recording of the interviews are to be done that enables
researchers to capture all data in an effective manner (Taylor et al., 2015).
Data analysis procedures
It is understood that data analysis process is the most crucial element of the whole
research that needs to b aligned with the research objectives. For the proposed study, four copies
of transcripts would be made in order to prevent loss of data. The same would be stored in a
computer with password protection. Thematic data analysis would be carried out for the
proposed study to make sense of the rich pool of information generated. The method would help
the researcher in shifting from a broad interpretation of generated data towards framing patterns
related to a particular research question (Creswell & Creswell, 2017). For a long time, thematic
analysis has been used as the process of gaining insight into the area of study. Through such an
analysis for distilling data, researchers are placed to come up with broad patterns allowing them
to engage in more coarse analysis. The nature of study is predominantly inductive since themes
emerge from the pool of data that is not imposed by the study’s researcher.

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Section IV- Significance of the study
Significance and benefits of the study
Identification of risk factors and protective measures from the perspectives of the chosen
population can help in setting up culturally sensitive and effective strategies aimed at prevention
of drug use at the primary level. Understanding the perceptions of the population of the
motivations behind initiating substance use would be helpful for outlining preventive measures.
The situations that can indirectly compel individuals to use drugs can be arrested if the
underlying concerns come into focus. Additional insights can be gained into the needs of social
changes than can curb substance abuse to a considerable extent (Granato et al., 2018). The
findings of the propose study would enable the professionals from the field of social welfare to
get involved in the treatment and prevention of substance abuse armed with a better
understanding of the social factors that play a role in influencing drug use among adolescents
and young adults (Kendler et al., 2018). Policy makers would be assisted through studies such as
the proposed one for developing robust and effective strategies that can delay or prevent
substance use initiation among the high risk population. It is known that policy reforms are to be
based on evidences emerging directly from community based research. The proposed research
would enable policy makers at New Plymouth and the state in general to intervene into social
concern highlighted (Jalilian et al., 2016).
Positioning the researcher
The position of the researcher is within the context of the study to be undertaken in the
field of social science. The prime source of motivation has been a personal interest to understand
the subject better due to involvement with community welfare centre for the past few years.

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There is an acknowledgement that immense efforts are to be given in the near future to arrest the
growing prevalence of drug use in the area of New Plymouth.
Section V- Ethical and Cultural consideration
Ethical considerations
For research that involves human participants, ethical considerations take a prime
position. Principles of ethics guide researchers to carry out the study in a trusted and safe
environment. Further, fabrication of generated data can also be prevented (Creswell & Creswell,
2017). Informed consent is the most crucial element of research ethics by virtue of which study
participants would be provided with adequate information pertaining to the aims and purpose of
the research. Consent in written form would be obtained prior to commencing with the research.
The individuals would be given assurance that they would have the right to withdraw from the
research at any time through the study. The identity of the participants would be protected as a
need of maintaining confidentiality and anonymity. The names of the participants would not be
published in the research report. Each individual would be given a particular number for
identification. The data would be saved in a secured manner to prevent sharing of information
with external agencies.
Cultural considerations
The Treaty of Waitangi had been signed to enable Maori people and British settlers to
live in harmony in New Zealand under a common set of agreements. The three principles
underpinning the relationship between the Maori and the government are protection, partnership
and participation. The proposed research would be carried out with the aim of reforming policies
related to substance use that is culturally sensitive and competent (Moon, 2015).

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References
Babbie, E. R. (2015). The practice of social research. Nelson Education.
Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. University
of South Florida.
Boden, J. M., Sanders, J., Munford, R., Liebenberg, L., & McLeod, G. F. (2016). Paths to
positive development: A model of outcomes in the New Zealand youth transitions study.
Child Indicators Research, 9(4), 889-911.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed
methods approaches. Sage publications.
Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Arshad, A., Finkelstein, Y., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2016). Interventions for
adolescent substance abuse: An overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Adolescent
Health, 59(4), S61-S75.
Drug Use in NZ | NZ Drug Foundation - At the heart of the matter. (2016). Retrieved from
https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/policy-and-advocacy/drugs-in-nz/
Eiseman, S. (2017). Drug abuse: Foundation for a psychosocial approach. J. A. Wingard, & G.
J. Huba (Eds.). Routledge.
Granato, H., Luk, J. W., Paves, A., Geisner, I. M., Cronce, J. M., Kilmer, J. R., ... & Larimer, M.
E. (2018). Crossover Effects of Protective Behavioural Strategies for Drinking on
Gambling Consequences Among College Gamblers With Alcohol or Drug Abuse.
Journal of Gambling Issues, (38).
Jalilian, F., Alavijeh, M. M., & Zolghadr, R. (2016). Predicting Factors about Drug abuse among
Students: an Application of Theory of Planned Behavior. Toloo-e-behdasht, 14(6), 286-
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Jalilian, F., Ataee, M., Matin, B. K., Ahmadpanah, M., Jouybari, T. A., Eslami, A. A., ... &
Alavijeh, M. M. (2015). Cognitive factors related to drug abuse among a sample of
iranian male medical college students. Global journal of health science, 7(5), 143.
Jalilian, F., Karami Matin, B., Ahmadpanah, M., Ataee, M., Ahmadi Jouybari, T., Eslami, A. A.,
& Mirzaei Alavijeh, M. (2015). Socio-demographic characteristics associated with
cigarettes smoking, drug abuse and alcohol drinking among male medical university
students in Iran. Journal of research in health sciences, 15(1), 42-46.
Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and
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Kandel, D., & Kandel, E. (2015). The Gateway Hypothesis of substance abuse: developmental,
biological and societal perspectives. Acta Paediatrica, 104(2), 130-137.
Kendler, K. S., Maes, H. H., Sundquist, K., Ohlsson, H., & Sundquist, J. (2014). Genetic and
family and community environmental effects on drug abuse in adolescence: a Swedish
national twin and sibling study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(2), 209-217.
Kendler, K. S., Ohlsson, H., Bacanu, S., Sundquist, J., & Sundquist, K. (2018). The risk for drug
abuse, alcohol use disorder, and psychosocial dysfunction in offspring from high-density
pedigrees: its moderation by personal, family, and community factors. Molecular
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Lindberg, M. A., & Zeid, D. (2017). Interactive pathways to substance abuse. Addictive
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Mason, W. A., Russo, M. J., Chmelka, M. B., Herrenkohl, R. C., & Herrenkohl, T. I. (2017).
Parent and peer pathways linking childhood experiences of abuse with marijuana use in
adolescence and adulthood. Addictive behaviors, 66, 70-75.
McHugh, R. K., Nielsen, S., & Weiss, R. D. (2015). Prescription drug abuse: from epidemiology
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Appendices
Data collection tool
1. What is your age?
2. What was your age when you first started taking drugs?
3. Who introduced you to drugs?
4. With whom do you take drugs usually and at which places?
5. Do your friends know that you take drugs and do they accept you?
6. How often do you take drugs?
7. From where do you get access to drugs and how do you afford to support your drug
taking habit?
8. How often do your friends take drugs?
9. Who are your family members?
10. Please describe the relationship you have with your family?
11. How was the relationship before you started taking drugs?
12. Explain the experiences of conflict at home if any.
13. How to you deal with conflicts at home or at social sphere?
14. Do you get rewarded for good behavior?
15. How do your parents communicate the disapproval of certain behavior?
16. How do your parents react to your drug taking behavior?
17. Have you had any family member who takes drugs?
18. Whom do you share your personal problems with?
19. Describe briefly the environment at your home.

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20. Do you feel motivated to quit substance use?
Timeline
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3-5 Week 6-8 Week 9-10
Preparation for the
study

Receiving consent from
participants

Data collection 
Data analysis 
Report preparation 