Navigating The Maze: The Impact of Perceive Stress in
The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Substance Use
Cedric Badjeck
2646177
Brooke Slawinski
Group 1
Bachelor Thesis
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
27-06-2023
1
,Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress in the
relationship between perceived social support and substance use. It was hypothesized that
individuals with higher levels of perceived social support would report lower levels of
perceived stress, leading to a decreased likelihood of engaging in substance use. A multiple
regression analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro of SPSS to examine the
mediating effect. Participants from a diverse non-clinical population (N = 654) completed
measures of perceived social support, perceived stress, and substance use using validated self-
report questionnaires. The results revealed no significant direct effect of perceived social
support on substance use (b = .103, SE = .119, t = .868, p = .386, 95% CI [-.130, .337]). The
indirect effect of perceived social support on substance use via perceived stress was
significant (b = .053, SE = .023, p < .01, 95% CI [.013, .105]). The total effect of perceived
social support on substance use was not significant (b = .156, SE = .119, t = 1.31, p =.190,
95% CI [-.078, .390]). These findings suggest that perceived stress plays a mediating role in
the relationship between perceived social support and substance use.
Keywords: perceived stress, perceived social support, substance use, mediation analysis, non-
clinical population.
2
, In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, individuals often face numerous
stressors that can profoundly impact their mental and emotional well-being. Among the
various consequences of stress, substance use has emerged as a prevalent and concerning
issue affecting individuals across diverse populations(Amaro et al., 2021). Substance use
(SU), encompassing the use of alcohol, and tobacco, continues to plague individuals and
societies worldwide. The negative impact of substance use extends far beyond physical
health; it permeates psychological, social, and economic dimensions, leaving individuals
vulnerable and communities burdened (Layman et al., 2022). The consequences ripple
through families, schools, workplaces, and society at large, necessitating a comprehensive
understanding of the risk and protective factors that contribute to its occurrence and
comprehensive strategies to address this pervasive issue.
One of the risk factors that contribute to the uptake and maintenance of substance use
is perceived stress. Perceived stress (PS), refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of
stressors and their perceived ability to cope with them (Awoke et al., 2021). According to the
Tension Reduction Theory (TRT), individuals who evaluated their stress as being
uncontrollable and overwhelming are more likely to endorse substances such as alcohol and
tobacco to reduce their distress (Dvorak et al., 2018). The results of the research conducted by
Carmichael et. al (2017 ) on college students in the United States supported this theory. They
found out that alcohol use seems intentional among college students who drink to relieve
tension, control their feelings of stress, and bring on sleep. Another study by Turner et. al
(2018) found that adults who experienced stress reported using alcohol and tobacco as a form
of self-medication to feel calm and more relaxed. However, the effects of these substances do
not last long. Therefore, the repeated use of substances to cope with perceived stress leads to
withdrawal symptoms and dependence and eventually transitions back to stress and the cycle
begins again (Turner et al,.2018).
3
The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Substance Use
Cedric Badjeck
2646177
Brooke Slawinski
Group 1
Bachelor Thesis
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
27-06-2023
1
,Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress in the
relationship between perceived social support and substance use. It was hypothesized that
individuals with higher levels of perceived social support would report lower levels of
perceived stress, leading to a decreased likelihood of engaging in substance use. A multiple
regression analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro of SPSS to examine the
mediating effect. Participants from a diverse non-clinical population (N = 654) completed
measures of perceived social support, perceived stress, and substance use using validated self-
report questionnaires. The results revealed no significant direct effect of perceived social
support on substance use (b = .103, SE = .119, t = .868, p = .386, 95% CI [-.130, .337]). The
indirect effect of perceived social support on substance use via perceived stress was
significant (b = .053, SE = .023, p < .01, 95% CI [.013, .105]). The total effect of perceived
social support on substance use was not significant (b = .156, SE = .119, t = 1.31, p =.190,
95% CI [-.078, .390]). These findings suggest that perceived stress plays a mediating role in
the relationship between perceived social support and substance use.
Keywords: perceived stress, perceived social support, substance use, mediation analysis, non-
clinical population.
2
, In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, individuals often face numerous
stressors that can profoundly impact their mental and emotional well-being. Among the
various consequences of stress, substance use has emerged as a prevalent and concerning
issue affecting individuals across diverse populations(Amaro et al., 2021). Substance use
(SU), encompassing the use of alcohol, and tobacco, continues to plague individuals and
societies worldwide. The negative impact of substance use extends far beyond physical
health; it permeates psychological, social, and economic dimensions, leaving individuals
vulnerable and communities burdened (Layman et al., 2022). The consequences ripple
through families, schools, workplaces, and society at large, necessitating a comprehensive
understanding of the risk and protective factors that contribute to its occurrence and
comprehensive strategies to address this pervasive issue.
One of the risk factors that contribute to the uptake and maintenance of substance use
is perceived stress. Perceived stress (PS), refers to an individual's subjective evaluation of
stressors and their perceived ability to cope with them (Awoke et al., 2021). According to the
Tension Reduction Theory (TRT), individuals who evaluated their stress as being
uncontrollable and overwhelming are more likely to endorse substances such as alcohol and
tobacco to reduce their distress (Dvorak et al., 2018). The results of the research conducted by
Carmichael et. al (2017 ) on college students in the United States supported this theory. They
found out that alcohol use seems intentional among college students who drink to relieve
tension, control their feelings of stress, and bring on sleep. Another study by Turner et. al
(2018) found that adults who experienced stress reported using alcohol and tobacco as a form
of self-medication to feel calm and more relaxed. However, the effects of these substances do
not last long. Therefore, the repeated use of substances to cope with perceived stress leads to
withdrawal symptoms and dependence and eventually transitions back to stress and the cycle
begins again (Turner et al,.2018).
3
