The concept
of resilience and closely related research regarding protective factors provides one avenue for addressing mental well - being that is suggested to have an impact on adolescent substance use.8 — 17 Resilience has been variably defined as the process
of, capacity for, or
outcome of successful adaptation in the context
of risk or adversity.9, 10, 12, 13, 18 Despite this variability, it is generally agreed that a range
of individual and environmental protective factors are thought to: contribute to an individual's resilience; be critical for positive youth development and protect adolescents from engaging in risk behaviours, such as substance use.19 — 22 Individual or internal resilience factors refer to the personal skills and traits
of young people (including self - esteem, empathy and self - awareness).23 Environmental or external resilience factors refer to the positive influences within a young person's social environment (including connectedness to family, school and community).23 Various studies have separately reported such factors to be negatively associated with adolescent use
of different types
of substances, 12, 16, 24 — 36 for example,
higher self - esteem16, 29, 32, 35 is associated with lower
likelihood of tobacco and alcohol use.