Exploration of Media Literacy about Substance Abuse among Students: A Qualitative Study

It is essential to identify the issue of media literacy about substance abuse as the most significant concern of the present decade. This requires deeply perceiving students’ experiences regarding media literacy about substance abuse. This qualitative content analysis aimed to examine media literacy about addiction. The participants were 20 students from different universities in universities in Hamadan city, Iran. The participants were selected using purposive sampling with maximum diversity. Interviews were conducted in a semi-structured manner, and data were analyzed using the MAXQDA software version 2010. Considering the results of media literacy dimensions and factors of substance abuse, 6 categories with the following subcategories were selected: 1) purpose with 3 subcategories, such as “sales for economic gain,” 2) construction with 3 subcategories, such as “internal and external beneficiary politicians,” 3) audience with 8 subcategories, such as “curious people,” 4) format and technique with 7 subcategories, such as “media techniques,” 5) filter with 11 subcategories, such as “happiness,” and 6) comparison with 8 subcategories, such as “free access.” The students’ viewpoints about media and their behavioral experiences can be used in planning educational and promotional interventions related to media literacy about substance abuse and developing appropriate evaluation tools in this field.

Cite this article as: Jormand et al. (2020). Exploration of media literacy about substance abuse among students: A qualitative study. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, 7(4), 234-240.