Addiction-related behaviours and psychological suffering in adolescents and emerging adults

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Adolescents' and emerging adults' psychological well-being and overall health are a continuous concern world-wide. These are critical time-periods in human development as many harmful and often-times life-long behavior patterns stem during them. Research has consistently shown that adolescents and emerging adults engage in detrimental and health-threatening behaviors, which inevitably influence their psychological well-being. These behaviors include alcohol and drug use, unsafe sex, poor diet choices, and even delinquent acts characterized by peer influence and heightened risk-taking.

Addictive behaviors of the youth are a particular cause for significant negative outcomes, as they may develop into long lasting habits and have detrimental effects on individuals' physical health, social relationships and financial status. Well-being, defined through a set of psychological features, including personal relationships and lack of distress, is vital to positive human functioning but highly susceptible to addictive behaviors. Additional challenge in supporting youths' well-being arises as addictions and addictive behaviors can occur in many forms. Although addiction is commonly associated with substance misuse, there exists a wide range of objects and activities one can become addicted to.

In this study, we attempt to provide a supplementary explanation onto how addictive behaviors and psychological well-being fluctuate among adolescents and emerging adults, when social identification with a primary peer group functions as a mediator. We focus on examining four types of addictions: alcohol, drugs, gambling, and the Internet. Here, addictions are discussed in terms of excessive behaviors, as suggested by Orford, 2001a, Orford, 2001b. Next, we explain briefly why these four addiction types were chosen and why examining social identification's mediating role in addiction is important.

Excessive drinking

Excessive drinking, particularly among youth, is a long-prevailing global issue. In the United States, for instance, alcohol is the most frequently used and misused substance among youth, with an 18% prevalence rate in monthly binge drinking. For males, this typically equals five or more drinks and, for females, four or more drinks within approximately two hours. Additionally, heaviest episodic alcohol consumption is taking place among youths between 15 and 19 years-old. Similarly, in Finland, 37% of adolescents reported they had experienced with alcohol (i.e., been drunk) at least once during their lifetime, and 7% reported drinking on a weekly basis with the intention of getting drunk.

Excessive drinking of alcohol in any age group is a serious public health concern, but especially among young people during important developmental stages. As past research has shown, it can impact brain development, lead to intoxication, accidents, infectious diseases, or even death.

International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, is a multidisciplinary quarterly designed to be the premier international forum and authority for the discussion of all aspects of emergency mental health.

Authors can submit their manuscript as an email attachment to: mentalhealth@emedscholar.com

Regards,

Journal Coordinator

International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience