Van den Bree and Pickworth identified a number of risk factors associated with marijuana use by a teenager. These can help identify a teenager at high risk for drug misuse. The authors are from Cardiff University (Wales) and the National Institutes on Drug Abuse at NIH..
Factor |
Increased Risk |
Decreased Risk |
involvement in social activities |
low levels of engagement |
high level of participation |
psychological health |
depression, anxiety, poor emotional control, personal difficulties |
good mental health |
personality |
limited coping skills, poor self-concept |
good coping skills, good self-image |
school situation |
poor performance, truancy, low connectedness |
good performance, good attendance, strong bonds |
family functioning |
inconsistent, lack of structure, high levels of conflict, low bonding, poor parenteral monitoring, substance abuse |
consistent, low conflict, strong bonding, good parenteral monitoring |
peers |
substance abuse, delinquent, maladaptive |
|
environment |
rough, violent |
|
belief structure |
rebellious, unconventional, irreligious |
religious, conservative |
Major risk factors for marijuana use found by van den Bree and Pickworth:
(1) abuse of other substances by self and by peers
(2) delinquency
(3) problems in school
Specialty: Psychiatry
ICD-10: ,