Youth are in a stage in their life where they are experiencing many changes. They are in a stage of exploration, trying new things, and pushing their personal limits. They regard themselves as “immune to harm” (Plant, 2001, p.890 para 3). It can be a confusing period in their life, and they look for support from individuals around them. A youth’s support network consists of their peers, friends and family. Peers and friends also have a direct affect of persuading youth. Youth want to have friends and peers to feel socially accepted. Social acceptance for youth is fitting in with others. Many young individuals in a positive light as a symbol of being adult and sociable (Plant, & Plane 2001). Socialization “is a continuous, lifelong, process… it involves having to adapt to different life stages and changing contexts” (Plant, & Plane 2001). Poor relationships with their peers and friends have an influence on a youth’s actions and behaviours. In alcoholism & drug abuse, 2004 it states that a majority of adolescents reported “most or all of their friends used alcohol, marijuana or other drugs” and these adolescents joined in with their friends. In addition, “sixty-two percent” of adolescents who reported that most or all of their friends used alcohol reported drinking to intoxication in the past year, and eighty two percent said used marijuana. (Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly, 2004, p. 3, para 14). O'Donnell, Michalak, and Ames (2002), goes on to state that involvement with irresponsible peers is a powerful predictor of irresponsible behavior for youth Strong family and school bond can help youth avoid problem behavior, the " influence of peers is often more important in determining involvement in or avoidance of problem behavior" (p.238).
Self-esteem can be an essential aspect of an adolescent's healthy development. Self-esteem is defined as “a person's feeling of self-worth or a person's view of his or her competency and worthiness” (Connor, Poyrazli, Ferrer-Wreder, & Grahame, 2004, p. 457, para 2). It may correlate with an overall sense of well-being during adolescence; low self-esteem has been related to risk behaviors and negative developmental outcomes. Self esteem influences the way a person thinks, feels, and responds to stressful life events. Research has also shown a relation between low self-esteem and feelings of depression and hopelessness in adolescence. Andrews as stated in Connor et al. (2004), Females with low self-esteem are twice as likely to develop depression following a stressful life event than those with average or high self-esteem.
With a low self esteem, a young person wants to feel good and escape from the stress and strain of life. This may be through the use of substances. Kneisl, Holly and Eileen (2004) suggest, these “quick fixes” is a means for youth heal their mental pain. They are learning unhealthy coping mechanisms; they are unable to deal with their frustrations, feelings, thoughts, emotions that are part of life. Kneisl, Holly and Eileen go on to explore healthy development, they articulate that learning stress management through a positive and healthy way is “[completing a developmental stage]” and “remain fixated at a dependent level of development” (288).
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References
Allen, D. (2003). Treating the cause not the problem: vulnerable young people. Journal of Substance Use, 8. Retrieved from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Database.
Edleman, C.L., & Mandle, C.L.,(2002). Health promotion: throughout the lifespan. (5th ed.). St.Louis: Mosby.
Kneisl, C. R., Holly, S.W. and Eileen, T. (2004). Contemporary psychiatric-mental health nursing (1st Ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
Plant, M., & Plane, M. (2001). Young people and alcohol. NT Research, 6(6). Retrieved from CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) Database.
O'Donnell, J., Michalak, E.,A.,& Ames, E.B. (2002). Inner-City Youths Helping Children After-School Programs to Promote Bonding and Reduce Risk. Social Work in Education, 19 (4). Retrieved from CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) Database.
Sir Francis House (2006). Substance Abuse. Retrieved on April 9, 2006, from http://www.stfrancishouse.org/headinhnds.jpg
Valadez-Meltzer, A., Silber, T.J., Meltzer, A.A.,& D’Angelo, L.J.,(2005). Will I be alive in 2005? adolescent level of involvement in risk. Journal of School Health, 116(1). Retrieved from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Database.
Yacoubian, G. S., Peters, R.J., (2003). Identifying the Prevalence and Correlates of Ecstasy Use among High School SeniorsSurveyed Through 2002 Monitoring the Future. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 34(2). Retrieved from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Database.
(2004, January 14).Study links youth substance use with peers and parents. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly. Retrieved from CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) Database.
By Shazeen Khan
