Behavioral and social pathways of adolescent drug use in Indonesia: implications for community-based prevention

BACKGROUND: Adolescent drug use remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where rapid social change affects family and community structures. Most existing studies examine behavioural and social determinants as independent predictors, offering limited understanding of the pathways through which social environments influence adolescent substance-use behaviour. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 350 adolescents aged 15–19 years recruited from secondary schools and community youth settings in Indonesia. Behavioural and social constructs including family support, parental monitoring, community engagement, risk perception, self-regulation, behavioural intention, and adolescent drug use were measured using validated multi-item scales. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to estimate direct and indirect relationships among constructs. RESULTS: Family support (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and parental monitoring (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) were positively associated with adolescent self-regulation. Community engagement showed a positive association with risk perception (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Risk perception (β = −0.24, p = 0.001) and self-regulation (β = −0.28, p < 0.001) were inversely associated with adolescent drug use, indicating protective effects. Behavioural intention emerged as the strongest and most proximal predictor of drug use (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Overall, the findings support a pathway-based model in which family and community contexts influence adolescent drug use indirectly through cognitive and self-regulatory mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent drug use in Indonesia is shaped by interconnected behavioural and social pathways rather than isolated risk factors. Prevention strategies should therefore prioritise strengthening self-regulation and addressing behavioural intentions through family- and community-based interventions. These findings provide empirical support for behaviourally grounded and contextually relevant community-based prevention programmes.