Relationship of personality, psychological distress, and substance use with social network characteristics of college going young adults

Background: Causes of substance use are multifactorial. Factors such as personality, psychological distress, and the person's social ties contribute to the understanding of substance use problems of college students. Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the association between personality traits and psychological distress with ego-centric social networks of substance-using and non-using college students. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 902 undergraduate students from the government (n = 2) and government-aided (n = 9) colleges. The socio-demographic data sheet, Big Five Personality Inventory, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the semi-structured Ego-centric Social Network Questionnaire were used to collect data. Results: Of 902 participants, 26.9% of participants used substances. The mean score of anxiety (P < 0.002) and depression (P < 0.002) was significantly higher among the substance users compared with non-users. Agreeableness (P < 0.001) and conscientiousness (P < 0.001) scores were significantly higher among non-users. Depression (P < 0.01), anxiety (P < 0.01), and stress (P < 0.01) correlated positively with the total number of substance users in the network. Agreeableness (P < 0.01) and conscientiousness (P < 0.01) were positively correlated with parents and siblings in the network. Stress emerged as a predictor (OR 1.61, CI 1.09-3.04, P < 0.001) for considering substance users to the social network. Conclusion: Personality and psychological distress are associated with an individual's social network and significantly contribute to student substance use problems.