Which factor is not a typical risk factor for adolescent substance use?

Which factor is not a typical risk factor for adolescent substance use?

• A. Regular physical activity
• B. Peer influence
• C. Family history
• D. Poor coping skills

Answer: (A)

Understanding risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use helps explain why some teens experiment or develop problems while others stay away. Regular physical activity is not a typical risk factor; it tends to protect against substance use. Staying active provides structure, improves mood and stress management, and often means teens spend time in healthier environments with positive influences, all of which can reduce the appeal or opportunities for using substances. In contrast, peer influence can strongly steer a teen toward trying substances; if friends normalize or pressure substance use, the likelihood increases. A family history of substance use raises risk through both genetic vulnerability and modeling of behavior. Poor coping skills also heighten risk because teens may turn to substances to manage stress or negative emotions when healthier strategies aren’t available. So the factor that is not a typical risk factor is regular physical activity.

Understanding risk and protective factors for adolescent substance use helps explain why some teens experiment or develop problems while others stay away. Regular physical activity is not a typical risk factor; it tends to protect against substance use. Staying active provides structure, improves mood and stress management, and often means teens spend time in healthier environments with positive influences, all of which can reduce the appeal or opportunities for using substances. In contrast, peer influence can strongly steer a teen toward trying substances; if friends normalize or pressure substance use, the likelihood increases. A family history of substance use raises risk through both genetic vulnerability and modeling of behavior. Poor coping skills also heighten risk because teens may turn to substances to manage stress or negative emotions when healthier strategies aren’t available. So the factor that is not a typical risk factor is regular physical activity.