NRS 434 Adolescence Contemporary Issues And Resources Assignment Paper
NRS 434 Adolescence Contemporary Issues And Resources Assignment Paper
NRS 434 Adolescence Contemporary Issues And Resources Assignment Paper
Adolescence: Contemporary Issues and Resources
Irrespective of race, socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, and other factors, all populations require optimal health and well-being. However, many issues in contemporary society hamper wellness and people’s quality of life. Adolescents are highly vulnerable since their brain is still growing, inhibiting their decision-making. External stressors that increase health risks among adolescents are also widespread at family, school, and community levels. The purpose of this paper is to identify a contemporary issue facing teenagers and discuss its effects on adolescent behavior and overall well-being.
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The Issue and External Stressors
Among many issues teenagers face today, substance abuse requires increased attention by healthcare providers, parents, and the government. As a public health concern, substance abuse statistics are worrying, considering that 8.33% reported using drugs in January 2023 in the United States (CHOC, 2023). Understanding how substance abuse affects teenagers and the risk factors can empower parents and healthcare professionals to design effective preventive and treatment mechanisms. Nawi et al. (2021) found that substance abuse impairs teenagers’ transition to adulthood by inhibiting their critical thinking and cognitive development. Poor judgment is also common among substance abusers, increasing their risk of physical and mental disorders. These adverse outcomes reduce teenagers’ overall health and well-being.
External stressors increasing the risk of substance abuse vary with the environment, parenting styles, and community policies, among other factors. For instance, home conflicts make young people use substances to numb the pain (CHOC, 2023). Besides, peer pressure, trauma experiences, and poor academic performance make young people experiment with various substances. Nawi et al. (2021) stressed that the absence of protective factors predisposes many adolescents to drug abuse. As a result, interventions to reduce risk should be centered on increasing protective factors at home, school, and other settings.
Assessment Strategies for Screening and Assessment Questions
A comprehensive analysis of the substance abuse problem is vital for healthcare professionals to offer appropriate support and guidance. One of the most effective strategies for substance abuse screening is the Drug Abuse Screen Test (DAST-10) (Shirinbayan et al., 2020). The test has ten questions evaluating how much and frequently a person takes drugs (). Furthermore, the test helps healthcare professionals to assess whether the substance abuse problem cause life and health problems. Regarding additional questions, it would be appropriate to ask the adolescent patient whether they seek assistance to overcome the problem and whether they are determined to stop the risky behavior. Information on the support needed at home, risk factors, and treatment can be shared with the parent or guardian. Healthcare professionals can avoid sharing selected information with the parent if the parents are violent and actively involving them could worsen the situation.
Support Options for Adolescent Patients
The multidimensional nature of substance abuse requires a multifaceted approach combining various interventions. Support options include support groups, online resources, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Support groups foster peer recovery by sharing experiences, providing moral support, and improving treatment adherence (Stanojlović & Davidson, 2012). Appropriate online resources for adolescents struggling with substance abuse include Truth Campaign, Your Room, and Partnership for Drug-Free Kids websites. The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a valuable resource for helping teens to find treatment facilities near them (Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, 2023). Community-based support groups are also a reliable resource for substance abuse treatment, improved coping, and positivity.
Conclusion
Substance abuse is widespread in society, and adolescents are a highly vulnerable group. Peer pressure, home conflicts, and poor academic performance are common external stressors. The DAST-10 screening tool can help healthcare providers to assess the problem, including causes and severity. To promote recovery and healthy living, substance abuse patients should be connected with the available resources and guided on how to maximize their use.
References
CHOC. (2023). Why are youths resorting to substance abuse? https://health.choc.org/why-are-youths-resorting-to-substance-and-drug-use/
Nawi, A. M., Ismail, R., Ibrahim, F., Hassan, M. R., Manaf, M. R. A., Amit, N., … & Shafurdin, N. S. (2021). Risk and protective factors of drug abuse among adolescents: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11906-2
Shirinbayan, P., Salavati, M., Soleimani, F., Saeedi, A., Asghari-Jafarabadi, M., Hemmati-Garakani, S., & Vameghi, R. (2020). The psychometric properties of the drug abuse screening test. Addiction & Health, 12(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.22122/ahj.v12i1.256
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. (2023). Substance use resources for adolescents and young adults. https://www.adolescenthealth.org/Resources/Clinical-Care-Resources/Substance-Use/Substance-Use-Resources-For-Adolesc.aspx
Stanojlović, M., & Davidson, L. (2021). Targeting the barriers in the substance use disorder continuum of care with peer recovery support. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 15, 1178221820976988. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221820976988
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Research the range of contemporary issues teenagers face today. In a 500-750-word paper, choose one issue (besides teen pregnancy) and discuss its effect on adolescent behavior and overall well-being. Include the following in your submission:
Describe the contemporary issue and explain what external stressors are associated with this issue.
Outline assessment strategies to screen for this issue and external stressors during an assessment for an adolescent patient. Describe what additional assessment questions you would need to ask and define the ethical parameters regarding what you can and cannot share with the parent or guardian.
Discuss support options for adolescents encountering external stressors. Include specific support options for the contemporary issue you presented.
You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
