The Family and Substance Use among Maltese University Students

Abstract

This study examines how family structure and functioning impact on prevalence and frequency of substance use in late
adolescence and emerging adulthood in Malta. Research participants are a convenience sample of 1130 University of Malta students
aged between eighteen and twenty-five. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire exploring relationships between
family functioning, family structure and substance use. The confidence interval for all results is 95% and the study has a maximum
margin of error of 2.7%. The study explored the relationship between perceived family intactness, family size, emotional climate,
parenting styles, family rituals and monitoring and supervision and patterns of self reported substance use. The results reveal significant
relationships between perceived family functioning and family structural variables and self reported substance use especially for family
intactness and monitoring and supervision. While the results do not allow for any interpretation regarding causality, they present novel
data for the Maltese islands. Recommendations for policy development and further research are explored.