Mediating Role of Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Peer Pressure and Substance Use among University Students in Pakistan

Authors

  • Muhammad Umer Farooq E Azam Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3525-9129
  • Sabir Shahzad Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5135-775X
  • Salman Shahzad (Ph.D) Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2776-0248
  • Muqadas Afzal Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi – Pakistan
  • Shahid Iqbal (Ph.D) Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi – Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3430-5155

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15564585

Abstract

Abstract Views: 1369

This study aimed to examine the association of peer pressure with substance use among university students. The study further explored the mediating role of psychological distress in the relationship between peer pressure and substance use. The study comprised students from public and private sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). A convenient sampling technique was employed to collect the sample. The peer pressure was found to be significantly associated with substance use. Results further revealed that psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between peer pressure and substance use. The findings of the present study highlighted the critical role of psychological distress in amplifying the effects of peer pressure on substance use among university students. Interventions that target both personal and environmental factors should be considered to address substance use among youth. Further, early detection and identification of the risk factors, such as mental health problems, should be addressed as part of prevention intervention would help build resilience, improve well-being, and reduce the risk of mental health and substance use among youth.

Keywords:

Mediating role, Peer pressure, Psychological distress, Substance use, University students

Author Biographies

Muhammad Umer Farooq E Azam,

He is a Research Scholar at the Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan. He obtained his Bachelors in Psychology from Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan.

Sabir Shahzad,

He is a Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan. He is a PhD Scholar (Clinical Psychology) from University of Karachi in Karachi – Pakistan.

Salman Shahzad (Ph.D),

He is a Professor at the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi in Karachi – Pakistan. He obtained his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University of Karachi in Karachi – Pakistan.

Muqadas Afzal,

She is a Research Scholar at the Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan. She completed her Bachelors in Psychology from Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan.

Shahid Iqbal (Ph.D),

He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology in Karachi – Pakistan. He obtained his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Psychology from the School of Psychology, University of Queensland in Brisbane – Australia.

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Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review

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Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Farooq E Azam, M. U., Shahzad, S., Shahzad, S., Afzal, M., & Iqbal, S. (2025). Mediating Role of Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Peer Pressure and Substance Use among University Students in Pakistan. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review, 5(2), 230–238. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15564585

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025)

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