|
New Study Looks at Peer Pressure and
Adolescent Substance Abuse
A new study
by researchers
from Weill Cornell Medical College shows that competence skills can
reduce adolescent substance use over the
long term, even when friends smoke or use
alcohol.
Previous research has shown that friends'
substance use is one of the most powerful
influences that lead adolescents to use
themselves. Recent studies have focused
on the role of competence skills, which
include good self-management and positive
psychological characteristics. These skills
could protect young people from social
risk factors for using substances.
The study, published in the April issue
of the journal Addictive Behaviors, specifically
looked at the skills of high refusal assertiveness
(positive responses to questions like "Do
you say 'no' when someone asks you to smoke")
and sound decision-making skills (positive
responses to questions like "When
I have a problem I think about which of
the alternatives are best").
Top of page
Video Gaming Displaces Physical Activity
for Children and Youth
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent
Psychiatry (AACAP) child and adolescent
psychiatrists are concerned about children
who spend more than two hours playing video
games each day. The AACAP cautions that
exposure to violent video games can elevate
aggressive feelings and thoughts, especially
in children and adolescents. In addition,
spending large amounts of time playing
these games can create problems and lead
to:
- Poor social skills
- Time away from family, school-work,
and other hobbies
- Lower grades and reading less
- Lack of exercise and obesity
For more information, visit www.aacap.org.
Top of page
|
 |
|
