Introduction “Substance abuse affects all age groups, but it is developed throughout youth causing direct impact to our society” (Sober College, 2014). There is no debate that substance abuse negatively affects a large amount of the population. This applies to every society as substance abuse is not limited to those with a high socioeconomic status and vice versa (Renneboog, 2014). Accordingly, this study deals with substance abuse, specifically the factors of substance abuse in youth. This is a significant social challenge because substance abuse leads to poor work performances that result in multiple problems relative to the individual, family, and society (Drug addiction and drug abuse, 2013). Moreover, it is said that substance abuse in
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Firstly, the secondary research, Whitesell (2013) and his research team argued that the main risks include the family neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Specifically, they found that “childhood maltreatment (including abuse and neglect), parental or familial substance abuse, level of parental education, parent-child relationships and familial socioeconomic status” were all indicators to whether a youth will start substance abuse (Whitesell, Bachard, Peel, & Brown, 2013). This contradicts the primary research where only 27.5% of students surveyed indicated that they had been physically or psychologically harmed by their parents. Also, both instances of interviewees felt that socioeconomic status was not a factor. Additionally, family genetics appeared to play a role in youth substance abuse. Whitesell (2013) and his research team found that predisposition mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression were contributing factors to substance abuse. This is shown to be accurate when an interviewee claimed that they were diagnosed with depression. Also, two interviewees claimed that their parents had used substances. Additionally, these interviewees felt that genetics played a role in substance abuse. Moreover, secondary research showed that social peer influence appeared to have an impact on youth substance (Whitesell, 2013). The primary research overwhelmingly proves this as there were multiple instances of interviewees who answered about how friends had an impact on their decision to use substances Also, 55% of students claimed that their friends were present
Firstly, the secondary research, Whitesell (2013) and his research team argued that the main risks include the family neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Specifically, they found that “childhood maltreatment (including abuse and neglect), parental or familial substance abuse, level of parental education, parent-child relationships and familial socioeconomic status” were all indicators to whether a youth will start substance abuse (Whitesell, Bachard, Peel, & Brown, 2013). This contradicts the primary research where only 27.5% of students surveyed indicated that they had been physically or psychologically harmed by their parents. Also, both instances of interviewees felt that socioeconomic status was not a factor. Additionally, family genetics appeared to play a role in youth substance abuse. Whitesell (2013) and his research team found that predisposition mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression were contributing factors to substance abuse. This is shown to be accurate when an interviewee claimed that they were diagnosed with depression. Also, two interviewees claimed that their parents had used substances. Additionally, these interviewees felt that genetics played a role in substance abuse. Moreover, secondary research showed that social peer influence appeared to have an impact on youth substance (Whitesell, 2013). The primary research overwhelmingly proves this as there were multiple instances of interviewees who answered about how friends had an impact on their decision to use substances Also, 55% of students claimed that their friends were present