A Sociological Analysis of the Tendency Toward Marijuana Use among High School Students in Tehran: A Qualitative Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scientific-Research

Author

Youssef Habibi

Department of Counseling , Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/social.2026.98630.1763

Abstract

Background and Objective; the present research, adopting a sociological approach, aims to identify and analyze the contextual factors contributing to marijuana use among students in Tehran.

Method; This study was conducted using a qualitative approach, employing the thematic analysis method. Data were collected in 1404 [Persian calendar year] through semi-structured interviews with 20 high school students aged 14 to 18 in Tehran. Sampling was performed purposively and via the snowball method, with the data collection process continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. The collected data, after complete transcription, were systematically coded and analyzed to identify the main and sub-themes of the contexts underlying marijuana use among students.

Findings; In-depth analysis of the interviews resulted in the identification of 4 main themes and 18 sub-themes. The main themes included individual contextual factors (with 6 sub-themes; such as curiosity and thrill-seeking), family contextual factors (with 4 sub-themes; e.g., weak parental supervision, low cultural capital), peer-related contextual factors (with 4 sub-themes; including the need for belonging and normalization), and finally, socio-cultural contextual factors (with 4 sub-themes; such as the role of media and the symbol of modernity).

Conclusion; Marijuana use among students is not merely an individual behavior but a product of the complex interplay of systemic contexts and socio-cultural structures. These findings underscore the necessity of developing and implementing multi-level preventive policies; strategies that, in addition to direct education in schools, must also focus on enhancing families’ cultural capital, revising supervisory patterns, and reforming media representations.

Keywords

marijuana use

Students

Qualitative study

Sociological analysis

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