ABSTRACT
Substance use and abuse is a major public health problem that affects adolescents of both genders and of every socioeconomic level. Because of the nature of the nursing profession, nurses are often trusted with confidential queries from family members and friends and clients concerned about substance use by teenagers they know and love. The purpose of this article is to provide nurses information and strategies for helping adolescents and their families with this problem. Specifically, this article includes information about current trends in teenage substance use and abuse, risk factors that influence use and abuse, and strategies for prevention, identification, and treatment.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Psychology, Adolescent , Substance-Related Disorders/nursing , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Nursing Assessment , Psychotherapy, Brief , Risk Factors , Substance-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Past family climate and past parent-child relationships of a nonclinical sample of young adult children of alcoholic fathers (n = 87) were compared to a sociodemographically similar sample of young adults with nonalcoholic parents (n = 106). Self-reports indicated that, compared to respondents from nonalcoholic families, respondents with alcoholic fathers described a more negative family climate with higher levels of conflict and lower levels of cohesion and expressiveness. Adult children of alcoholics described more negative relationships with their alcoholic fathers. However, contrary to clinical literature, adult children of alcoholics' descriptions of their relationships with their nonalcoholic mothers did not differ from the descriptions provided by young adults with nonalcoholic parents. Daughters of alcoholic fathers reported more negative relationships with their fathers in the areas of role performance, affective expression, and control than did sons. Implications for practice include reinforcing the nurturing relationship between nonalcoholic mothers and their children in families with alcoholic fathers.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/psychology , Child of Impaired Parents/psychology , Family/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Adult , Affect , Case-Control Studies , Communication , Conflict, Psychological , Female , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Role , Social Values , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This research investigated the psychological adjustment of adult children of alcoholics. Few studies have explored the long-term effects of this childhood experience. The total sample (N = 239) included 114 adult children of alcoholics and 125 sociodemographically comparable adults from nonalcoholic family environments. The sample was further divided into young- and middle-adult age groups and men and women. All respondents completed a self-report instrument that included standardized measures of psychological well-being, emotional distress, personality characteristics and psychological development. Results indicated that adult children of alcoholics did not differ from the comparison group on the majority of measures that assessed multiple aspects of psychological well-being and personality development. However, adult children of alcoholics scored significantly higher on the measures of anxiety and depression than did adults from nonalcoholic families. Few gender differences were obtained in the overall pattern of results. The findings are discussed in light of the generally negative clinical descriptions of adult children of alcoholics and the need to implement future research that will explain the apparent variability in the psychological functioning of adult children of alcoholics.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Alcoholism/psychology , Child of Impaired Parents/psychology , Personality Development , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Depression/psychology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Personality Tests , Risk Factors , Self Concept , Social Adjustment , Social EnvironmentABSTRACT
Although there is no single sign or symptom that provides conclusive evidence of alcoholism, a thorough and thoughtful assessment can provide clues for early identification of the alcoholic person. The nurse's approach should include an accepting, matter-of-fact, nonthreatening attitude. Family members should be included in the assessment if possible. The assessment should include information about the client's drinking patterns, as well as about physiological, psychological, and behavioral signs and symptoms indicative of alcoholism. Astute observations and questioning about this combination of factors can result in early identification and intervention with alcoholic clients and their families.
