When considering adolescents 13 to 18, the environment plays
a huge role in their development. Many factors contribute to the character and
personality a person develops. An adolescents parents and social circle are
believed to contribute the most. Research has been done to examine the family
role and network of the adolescents 1 year after intake to alcohol and other
drug (AOD) treatment.
In this specific study a survey of 419 adolescents, thirteen
to eighteen years of age at sub sequential intakes to AOD treatment programs.
The researched studied characteristics anticipating one-year abstinence and
they predicted they would have less than four substance-using friends at one
year. They verified with a telephone survey one year after intake.
The results of this survey proved that family environment,
such as, family conflict, positive family experiences, and limited settings
were not factors in the adolescent’s abstinence outcomes. Though, they were
able to find that their peer networks did. A adolescent with less than four
AOD-using friends were more likely to continue being abstinent than those with
more than four AOD-using friends. It cannot be denied that a positive family
environment is extremely important for an adolescent struggling with AOD, even if
it did not play a substantial role in treatment. It is important
proper
precautions are taken when considering a struggling adolescent’s peer network.
The caliber of an adolescent’s peer network will independently predict their
treatment outcome.
The limitations for this study are very limited. This study
is an observational study. It is generalized by the Affordable Care Act, which
intergrades behavioral care within all other general health care needs. The
information providers see adolescents in other settings as well.
Reference:
Ramirez, R., Hinman, A., Sterling, S.,
Weisner, C., & Campbell, C. (2012). Peer Influences on Adolescent Alcohol
and Other Drug Use Outcomes. Journal Of Nursing Scholarship, 44(1),
36-44. doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2011.01437
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