The Impact of Positive Family Relationships as an Effective Protective Shield in Reducing the Risks of Drug Abuse

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the impact of positive family relationships as an effective protective shield in reducing the risks of drug abuse. This was achieved by assessing the extent to which the quality of positive family relationships—including communication and emotional support—reduces the likelihood of drug abuse among youth. The study also investigated how parental educational supervision practices contribute to drug prevention and the reduction of associated risks. Furthermore, it identified the social and psychological factors that influence the family's ability to build positive relationships that protect children from drug use. Lastly, the study analyzed the impact of contemporary social changes, such as the spread of technology and shifts in lifestyle patterns, on the effectiveness of family relationships in mitigating the risks of drug abuse. The descriptive method was used. The study reached the following conclusions: -The quality of positive family relationships, including effective communication and emotional support, directly contributes to reducing the likelihood of drug use among youth by enhancing feelings of security, belonging, and self-monitoring. -Organized and balanced parental educational supervision practices promote drug prevention by guiding behavior, reinforcing self-discipline, and reducing the chances of youth delinquency. -The family's ability to build protective positive relationships is influenced by social factors such as economic status and family stability, and psychological factors such as parents’ mental health, parenting styles, and the level of emotional cohesion among family members. -Contemporary social changes—such as the widespread use of technology and shifts in lifestyle—have weakened the effectiveness of family relationships due to decreased direct interaction time, limiting parental supervision and emotional support, and increasing youth exposure to the risks of drug abuse.