Wealth and Substace Abuse
Findings from a new study, "Privileged But Pressured? A Study Of Affluent Youth" published in the academic journal Child Development, show that adolescents who are pressured to get into a top college or feel socially isolated are more likely to get involved with alcohol and other drugs. The news might not be as shocking if the study focused on high school juniors and seniors. After all, they are the ones competing for acceptance letters from the Nation’s top universities. Instead the study focused on 6th-and 7th graders in an affluent Northeast suburb, where the family typically makes more than $100,000 per year. These well-to-do 11 to 13 year olds engage in early and excessive substance abuse triggered, researchers found, by social isolation and the pressure - even at such a young age - to get into a good college.
The study asked 6th and 7th graders about their drug and alcohol use, their family relationships, and their emotional well being. Participants also were asked about how much their parents valued different achievements or qualities, such as getting good grades, securing a high income in the future, being an honest person, or giving to others.
Study authors found overall, high levels of stress and substance use among tweens who reported the most pressure to achieve academically and in extracurricular activities. Distress levels also were high among those who had the least after school supervision.
One finding was particularly troubling for affluent boys. The study found that boys who drank had a higher social status than those who did not.
Public health specialists are generally stumped by the high substance abuse among suburban teens - particularly those with all apparent advantages, opportunities with wealth, said Thomas Clark, a research associate at Health and Addictions Research, a non-profit research firm. While only a few studies look at youth drug use based on family economic status, Clark said national studies consistently show that drug use among white teens exceeds that of African American and Hispanic youth.
He said some research suggests that wealthier teens may simply be tempted to experiment because they have access to and financial means to buy alcohol or drugs. Some researchers say that urban youth are often more tied to religious back grounds or new immigration status, which makes them less likely to take risks. Study authors also say that their study shows that suburban teens use alcohol and other drugs to insulate themselves from the stresses of life.
Adolescents growing up in wealthy suburban communities are at a much greater risk for depression and substance abuse than most people think. In fact, teen substance use is on the rise in suburbia, in many cases eclipsing drug use in lower income urban areas. Parent involvement and support are critical to preventing teens from all walks of life from using alcohol and drugs. Even though adolescents may spend more time with their peers and may seem to value their friends’ opinions more than their parents’ opinions, youth continue to report that parents are the most powerful influence in their lives. Being a source of encouragement and support will help your tween stay de-stressed and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.
taken from: Parents. The Anti-Drug