Meta-analysis of research explaining sociological factors affecting drug abuse (with emphasis on companionship with addicts)

The present study with a meta-analysis approach seeks to summarize and combine the findings of these studies with the aim of identifying and explaining the most important factors, along with providing relevant solutions to solve the problem.

The present study was conducted by quantitative meta-analysis. The statistical population includes all researches conducted from 2004 to the end of 2015 in the field of study. Through purposive sampling, 28 studies were selected that had the appropriate characteristics to enter the meta-analysis. Comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA) was used to analyze the data.

The estimated effect size in the studied samples was 0.44 which is evaluated in the medium level of confidence based on Cohen's interpretive system. Finally, although the type of statistical population variable has been used as a moderating variable based on the differences in research results, but it can be said that regardless of the differences in the statistical populations studied, socializing with addicted friends has a positive effect on drug abuse or addiction.

Addicted people are exposed to learning deviant behaviors (addiction) due to their living environment and also the people with whom they are in contact (addicts). They show that they resist the prevailing culture and have a great impact on the formation and strengthening of people's attitudes in their addiction and greatly reduce the chances of rescuing a person from the mire of addiction.