Research Paper
Research Proposal
Substance Abuse:
Parental Involvement during Adolescent Years and its effects on Teen Substance Abuse
Norfolk State University
November 25, 2013
Professor Worley – SWK 416
Introduction
Adolescent substance abuse in Virginia is below the national average according to a study for the Department of Adolescent Health with the Department of Health & Human Services (2011) teens in grades 9-12 disclosed usage of alcohol at a rate of 18 percent compared to 20 percent of the national average for having drank more than a few sips before they were 13 years old. For Marijuana the rate was 32 percent of high school aged adolescents have used marijuana in their lifetime and that is also below the national average of 40 percent. Inhalant usage was 10 percent with a national average of 11 percent, cocaine was listed at 3 percent directly coinciding with the national rate and lastly nonmedical use of pain relievers was 7 percent higher than the national percentage of 6 percent (Department of Health & Human Services Office of Adolescent Health, 2011).
Literature Review
It is no secret that an individual’s development begins within the environment he or she develops. However, questions begin to arise when one wonders how particular settings or environmental factors affect an individual’s development and to which degree these factors impact one’s life. Further investigation may be necessary when the stage of development of the individual being studied is considered. Adolescence is a unique and critical stage in the development of every human being and organizations such as the Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base (ASK) suggest that substance use and abuse is at least an issue, if not a major problem facing many adolescents. According to ASK the most commonly used substances for adolescents age 12 to 17 are tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. The ASK website supports that claim with the following statistics: the national
Substance Abuse:
Parental Involvement during Adolescent Years and its effects on Teen Substance Abuse
Norfolk State University
November 25, 2013
Professor Worley – SWK 416
Introduction
Adolescent substance abuse in Virginia is below the national average according to a study for the Department of Adolescent Health with the Department of Health & Human Services (2011) teens in grades 9-12 disclosed usage of alcohol at a rate of 18 percent compared to 20 percent of the national average for having drank more than a few sips before they were 13 years old. For Marijuana the rate was 32 percent of high school aged adolescents have used marijuana in their lifetime and that is also below the national average of 40 percent. Inhalant usage was 10 percent with a national average of 11 percent, cocaine was listed at 3 percent directly coinciding with the national rate and lastly nonmedical use of pain relievers was 7 percent higher than the national percentage of 6 percent (Department of Health & Human Services Office of Adolescent Health, 2011).
Literature Review
It is no secret that an individual’s development begins within the environment he or she develops. However, questions begin to arise when one wonders how particular settings or environmental factors affect an individual’s development and to which degree these factors impact one’s life. Further investigation may be necessary when the stage of development of the individual being studied is considered. Adolescence is a unique and critical stage in the development of every human being and organizations such as the Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base (ASK) suggest that substance use and abuse is at least an issue, if not a major problem facing many adolescents. According to ASK the most commonly used substances for adolescents age 12 to 17 are tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. The ASK website supports that claim with the following statistics: the national
References: Clark, D., Thatcher, D., & Maisto, S. (2004). Adolescent neglect and alcohol use disorders in two-parent families. Child Maltreatment, 9(4), 357-370. Ennett, S., Bauman, K., Foshee, V., Pemberton, M., & Hicks, K. (2001). Parent-child communication about adolescent tobacco and alcohol use: what do parents say and does it affect youth behavior? Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(1), 48-62. Farrell, A., & Kung, E. (2000). The role of parents and peers in early adolescent substance use: an examination of mediating and moderating effects. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 9(4), 509-528. Highlights of Study by State on Youth Drug Use. (2007). Retrieved January 13, 2011, from http://www.adolescent-substance-abuse.com/state-stats.html Wood, M., Read, J., Mitchell, R., & Brand, N. (2004). Do parents still matter? Parent and peer influences on alcohol involvement among recent high school graduates. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18(1), 19-30.