They either did not identify sexual harassment and sexualised language as problematic or they were unaware they were happening. They were dealing with incidents of sexual violence when they were made aware of them, and following statutory guidance. But professionals consistently underestimated the prevalence of online sexual abuse, even when there was a proactive whole-school approach to tackling sexual harassment and violence. Researchers have also questioned whether drugs used to treat ADHD (stimulants) may also increase the likelihood of adolescents developing a substance use disorder 71, 73, 74. However, studies have generally found that stimulant drugs used as medications for the treatment of ADHD do not increase the likelihood that an adolescent will develop substance abuse or dependence 71, 73, 74.
Risk Factors and Prevention Activities
However, the disruption of the last year means that schools’ ability to plan and deliver the new curriculum will have been significantly affected. Most children and young people talked about their previous experience of RSHE and PSHE, which we know does not necessarily address how the curriculum will support them in future. Where we can, we point to how schools and colleges are implementing the new RSHE curriculum and where they can be supported further. The DfE’s research into schools that adopted the RSHE curriculum early also provides insights.footnote 59 We recognise that RSHE is just one part of a whole-school approach to tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online. Overall, the empirical work on the peer socialization context has tended to focus on adolescents and college students, with a relative dearth of studies focused on the general population of adults (Patrick, Schulenberg, Maggs & Maslowksy, 2016).
Couples in Which a Partner Has an SUD
A study involving 1,969 adolescents showed that a friend’s cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and drug use activities, significantly predicts an adolescent’s risk activities over a one-year period 22. Adolescents tend to affiliate and develop friendships with peers who shares common attitudes and characteristics contributing to homogeneity of peer group 24,25,26. A study has reported that school-aged children with smoking parents were less likely to consider that smoking is harmful to health (67.7%), and had more peers who smoked (30.3%) 27. Prior work supports the role of both selection and socialization of adolescent substance use.
Parents and Families
- As noted, gender differences and social environment were not considered in criminal behavior and the abuse of substances.
- They were also actively engaging parents and alumni to discuss concerns and address them where possible.
- A family is a system consisting of different “parts” (the family members), so a change in one part can cause changes throughout the system.
- Additionally, another study investigating BDNF showed that it may be involved in the mechanism of addiction or substance misuse.
- Co-occurring mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, depressive, conduct, and bipolar disorders).
- Lastly, consistent with most narrative reviews, we did not appraise the quality of the included studies because our primary goal was to provide a broad perspective on the association of the family system, substance abuse, and crime in adolescence.
There was a whole-school approach to educating children and young people and encouraging them to come forward, delivered through assemblies, tutor time, posters and leaflets. They were also actively engaging parents and alumni to discuss concerns and address them where possible. They were worried that they would get into trouble if they spoke to the DSL when this individual had a dual role as the deputy headteacher for behaviour.
Does Socioeconomic Advantage Lessen the Risk of Adolescent Substance Use?
Professionals’ and victims’ groups we spoke to also said that it is rare that children and young people talk about abuse as a ‘one-off’ and that this may be a process that happens over time. Victims’ groups we spoke to also considered that children and young people are much more likely to talk about abuse when secure and trusting relationships have been developed within a supportive culture. Some DSLs told us that children and young people were sometimes added to large groups of peers on WhatsApp without their permission, where graphic material was shared without them properly knowing who they were interacting with. Some children, young people and staff mentioned sexual and sexist comments happening in corridors. Some girls felt uncomfortable when boys walked behind them up stairs and in stairwells where people can see up their skirts from below.
Schools
The DfE has published guidance for schools and colleges to help them to respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online, between children. This explains that it is an offence for anyone to have any sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 and provides specific protection for children aged 12 and under who cannot legally give their consent to any form of sexual activity. The guidance acknowledges that professionals may be required to make complex decisions in situations of peer-on-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online. It stresses the importance of effective training and clear policies for staff to help them take a considered and appropriate response. When it comes to sexual violence, it appears that school and college leaders are increasingly having to make difficult decisions that guidance does not equip them to make.
Family Risk and Protective Influences on Adolescent Substance Use in Global Context
The authors found that the use of e-cigarettes can lead to more severe substance addiction 55, possibly through normalization of the behavior. On the other hand, Chuang et al.’s extensive study in 2017 analyzed the combined effects of either multiple addictions alone or a combination of multiple addictions together with the impulsivity trait 29. The outcomes reported were intriguing and provide the opportunity for targeted intervention.
Effects of A Family-Based Program for Reducing Risk for Youth Alcohol Use in Mexico
Discuss with the mother how her marijuana use may increase her daughter’s risk for drug abuse. Youth with substance use disorders also experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses, diminished overall health and well-being, and potential progression to addiction. Children struggling with the loss of a biological parent, loyalty to a biological parent, or both.
- They are also worried that responses such as a whole-school assembly would just set the ‘rumour mills going’ and could undermine the anonymity of those involved.
- Epigenetic studies are considered important, as they can provide a good outline of the potential pre-natal factors that can be targeted at an earlier stage.
- Those adolescents with episodes of maltreatment were considered to have negative growth exposure, as their childhoods were negatively affected by traumatic events.
- If you suspect that a teenager is experiencing either, consult a pediatrician or mental health professional as soon as possible.
- V Hollis and E Belton, ‘Impact and evidence series children and young people who engage in technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour.
Given what children and young people have teen drug abuse told us about the prevalence of sexual harassment and online sexual abuse in their lives, it is likely to be the latter. In light of this, all schools should take a whole-school approach to tackling sexual harassment and online sexual abuse because it is likely that they are underestimating the scale of the problem. This should include speaking to children, and listening to their views and experiences and using these to inform a preventative approach to sexual harassment and sexual violence, including online sexual abuse. Regarding the impact of family history on an individual’s future risk of devolving into substance abuse, one study discussed substance abuse among medical students and doctors.