If a teen thinks peers use drugs more than they actually do, which risk factor is most applicable?

If a teen thinks peers use drugs more than they actually do, which risk factor is most applicable?

• A. Misperception of peer norms
• B. Loss of positive body image
• C. Loss of parents
• D. All of the above

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that how teens perceive what others do can drive their own behavior. If a teen believes many peers are using drugs, they may feel pressured to use drugs to fit in, even if most peers aren’t actually doing so. This is a classic example of misperception of peer norms shaping behavior, and interventions that correct these misperceptions (giving accurate information about how many peers actually use) tend to reduce use. The other options don’t fit this specific mechanism. Losing positive body image relates to self-esteem and body-related concerns, which is a different pathway to risk. Losing a parent is an environmental risk related to family context, not about misperceived peer norms. So the most applicable risk factor here is misperception of peer norms.

The key idea is that how teens perceive what others do can drive their own behavior. If a teen believes many peers are using drugs, they may feel pressured to use drugs to fit in, even if most peers aren’t actually doing so. This is a classic example of misperception of peer norms shaping behavior, and interventions that correct these misperceptions (giving accurate information about how many peers actually use) tend to reduce use.

The other options don’t fit this specific mechanism. Losing positive body image relates to self-esteem and body-related concerns, which is a different pathway to risk. Losing a parent is an environmental risk related to family context, not about misperceived peer norms. So the most applicable risk factor here is misperception of peer norms.