LAS REDES SOCIALES COMO FACTOR PROTECTOR DEL CONSUMO DE DROGAS EN ESCOLARES DE LA COMUNA DE CORONEL / Social networks as a protective factor of drug use in school children of the discrict of Coronel, Chile

Resumen

Este estudio busca entender la preponderancia que tienen las redes sociales como factor protector del consumo y uso  de drogas ilícitas por parte de adolescentes insertos en la etapa escolar. Nuestra piedra angular de interés emana de los aparentes atributos que poseen ciertas relaciones sociales para contener e inhibir  conductas de riesgos ligadas al consumo de estupefacientes. Por lo tanto, relevamos cómo las redes sociales constituyen un elemento protector que amplifica recursos individuales: la cooperación, el apoyo emocional, y la regulación social. El estudio de carácter cuantitativo, consideró como marco muestral a la población escolar de 7º básico a 4º medio de todos los establecimientos educacionales de la ciudad de Coronel. 

This study seeks to understand the preponderance that social networks may have as a protective factor of the illicit consumption and drug use on the part of adolescents insert while in their school stage. Our interest cornerstone lies in the apparent protective attributes that certain social relations may pose to contain and inhibit risk factors or behaviors, particularly those linked to the drug abuse. Therefore, we emphasize how social networks constitute a protective element that may amplify individual resources: cooperation, emotional support, and social regulation. This study was quantitative and considered as its sample frame the entire school population from 7^th grade (middle school) to IV grade (high school) among all educational establishments of the town of Coronel, in southern Chile

Keywords: Social networks, social participation, protective factors, risk factors, drug use