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This research project aims to detect risky behaviours and protective factors among youth in Lebanon and to identify the personal, as well as the social and economic factors that deter-mine or protect against such behaviours, in order to develop evidence-based and sustainable prevention programs.
Substance abuse is posing great challenges to Middle Eastern Societies. Lebanon is no exception: data show that substance abuse is increasing especially among young people. A solid understanding of risky behaviours and the risk factors to substance abuse such as alcohol, drugs and prescription medications, is a precondition for sustainable prevention programs. In order to introduce appropriate and effective prevention strategies, systematic studies which go beyond simple frequency tables to identify vulnerable groups according to biographic and contextual characteristics, detect relevant determinants and correla-tions are of great importance.
Research objectives
- To detect the prevalence, patterns, and distribution of substance use and misuse among youth in Lebanon.
- To delineate the associated protective and risk factors in youth and to identify the most vulnerable groups.
- To address risky behaviours in a comprehensive way and to draft recommendations for evidence-based intervention approaches on the political and grass-root level in order to transfer them to policy makers and relevant actors in the social, economic and political spheres.
Research plan and methodology
The determinants of risk behaviour and substance abuse are measured through intermediary variables such as social capital, anomie and subjective well-being mediating between (de)stabilizing contextual factors and manifestations on the individual and social level, such as substance abuse, risk behaviours and social disintegration. Subjective well-being is reflected in individuals’ attitudes towards different aspects of their lives, in opinions and perceptions indicating levels of trust/distrust, content/discontent, optimism/pessimism, feelings of secu-rity/insecurity, future perspectives, individual disorientation and estrangement.
The study posits that risk behaviours would be influenced by the presence of protective factors. The protective factors to be assessed comprise a set of variables such as: family communication, leisure activities, religiosity, community involvement, future aspirations, social and interpersonal trust etc. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are used for the study. Focus groups discussions will be conducted once the quantitative analysis is completed. The focus groups aim to complement the quantitative study and to enrich our knowledge of youth risk behaviour and possible interventions by listening to the youth reflecting on these issues ‘in their own words’. The study is highly practice oriented in order to propose vital policy implications and interventions in developing youth programs and initiatives with a focus on life-skills education, empowerment and trust-building.
Target group(s)
- The quantitative study will target a sample of 2000 youth in schools (private and public; formal and voca-tional) in the Greater Beirut region (Beirut and its suburbs) within the age group between 13 and 19 years i.e. those in secondary level of formal education and BT level in vocational education.
- The transfer and implementation phase is of great importance, results of the research will be used to inform policy makers and other relevant actors in the social and political spheres. The results of the study shall flow into the formulation of state policies, into initiatives and interventions of community leaders and national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations.
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Partner
Center for Research on Population and Health (CHPH), American University of Beirut
Contact:
Niklaus Eggenberger
Project Director
+41 (0)32 344 30 53
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