StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Social Determinants and Addiction among Australian Adolescents - Literature review Example

Summary
The paper "Social Determinants and Addiction among Australian Adolescents" makes it clear that to reduce substance and compulsive addiction among adolescents in Australia, both the general public and the policymakers should work together to come up with the best strategy to avert addiction…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.1% of users find it useful

Extract of sample "Social Determinants and Addiction among Australian Adolescents"

Title: Social Determinants among Australian Adolescent: Addiction Student: Student Number: Email address: School/Department: Pharmacy Unit: Health and Health Behaviour 130 Lecturer/Tutor: Sarah Maen Date Due: 27/Sep/2013 I declare that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for any unit, degree or diploma at any university or other institute of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and a least of references is given. I warrant that any disks and/or computer files submitted as part of this assignment have been checked for viruses. Student signature: ____________ _________________ Date: __________________27.Sep.2013_____________________ Contents 1.0Introduction 4 2.0 Addiction as a Social Determinant of Health for Adolescents 4 3.0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia 5 3.1 Cigarette smoking 6 3.2 Alcohol consumption 7 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia 7 4.1 Gambling 8 5.0 Conclusion 9 6.0 References 10 Social Determinants among Australian Adolescent: Addiction 1.0 Introduction Social determinant of health is the surroundings in which people are born and interact with as they grow (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009). These conditions are shaped by policy choices, resources, power and money distribution at local, national and global levels and within communities and families. Adolescent’s health is sturdily affected by different factors from the national, community, family and personal levels. Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2008) analysis that, health and health behaviours are vital as adolescents grows to adult life. This essay will seek to address the impact of social determinants of health for adolescents as they are critical to the nation’s economic development and the whole population’s welfare. Secondly, it will focus on addiction as a social determinant and the impact of substance use such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption among the adolescents in Australia. Finally, the impact of compulsive behaviour such as Gambling and Television Viewing will be discussed. 2.0 Addiction as a Social Determinant of Health for Adolescents Wang, Henley & Donovan (2004) defines addiction as a behaviour arising from substance use and is listed as one of disorders arising from substance dependence disorder. (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009) defines substance dependence as compulsive taking of drug characterized by tolerance development for the substance, craving and withdrawal symptoms development. In addition, addiction has been applied to mean illegal drug; cigarette smoking, nicotine and alcohol use (CSDH, 2008). However, Andreasen (2006) also stated that playing video games, overeating and gambling form of compulsive behaviours are also addictive. In other words, the addictive notion has broadened its base to general uncontrollable human behaviour. Addiction carries different perception among the academicians and policy makers. Due to this fact, the policy makers are able to determine the approximate resources suitable to allocate to the needs of substance use or compulsive behaviour for prevention and prevent adverse effects (CSDH, 2008). How the general public views certain type of addiction is significant as it helps the adolescents in decision making on addictive behaviour or product highlights (Andreasen, 2006). Wang, Henley & Donovan (2004) adolescent addictive behaviour refers to drug use to control negative effect, handle stress, appetitive aspects of a certain way of life, compulsive behaviour with both psychological and physical effects like craving and withdrawal. In summative form addiction is any behaviour that is portrayed as excess (Cary, 2004). 3.0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia Substance use is a growing public health concern in Australia among all groups. Among the adolescents, illicit drug use and heavy drinking are the major cause of increased mortality and morbidity rates. According to (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008), adolescent at and above the age of 14 years do consume alcohol at high and risky levels. Tobacco smoking is on high consumption among the Australian adolescents. According to ABS, 2008 7% (58,000) adolescent aged 15-17 years were current smokers. During the survey, 30,000 (4%) teens said that they were ex-smokers. Both alcohol use and tobacco smoking exposes the consumers to different health problems as highlighted here in. 3.1 Cigarette smoking According to Andreasen (2006), addictive behaviour is common to both active and passive smokers. Some commonly reported behaviours for those addictive to tobacco smoking include lack of control to smoking even in prohibited zones, frequency in smoking upon waking up. In his study Andreasen (2006), cigarette smoking affects the individual’s health, mental functioning and the need to use money. Tobacco smoking leads to increased rates of morbidity such as cancer of the skin, lungs and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, Quality Adjusted Life Years has also faced tobacco smoking effects. Economist analysis shows that rather than inputting $4million shillings to other useful activities within households, this has been diverted to tobacco purchasing (de Meyrick & Yusuf, 2006). In Australia, antismoking campaigns with emphasizes to the dangers of smoking did prove to reduce smoking rates from 2000-2005 to 24%. Some of physical effects of tobacco smoking include; (Leather 2009) stomach ulcers, liver diseases and liver carcinoma, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Tyas and Pederson (1999) adolescents involved in tobacco smoking find it hard to quit smoking, distress, poor food consumption which is likely to lead to under nutrition, some adolescent break the law to get money to purchase cigarette, others feel worked up before doing any activity of importance to the general society. Consequently, suicidal lamentation, anxiety and depression and low-self-esteem are some of mental health factors arising from tobacco smoking among the adolescents. 3.2 Alcohol consumption In relation to world standards of alcohol consumption (Moodie, 2005), Australia reports high levels with 83% persons aged 14 years and above being consumers. In reference to the same study, this rates raises public health concern calling all levels for the government to take action. Alcohol consumption has not only raised the mortality and morbidity rates, but also morally harming passive drinkers. According to (National Preventive Health Task Force Alcohol Working Group, 2008) alcohol consumption affects the individual for example it result to liver diseases or heart related condition, sexual dysfunction, gastritis or ulcers; leads to increased rates of road accidents pressurizing the Australian economy, impacts household functioning, disrupts and reduces productivity in workplace, increases family violence and affects general public safety. Pascal, Chikritzhs, and Gray, (2009) Prolonged alcohol use among adolescents results into impaired brain function which in turn results to memory blackouts, impaired judgement which provokes adolescents to indulge in high risk behaviours and poor memory coordination a fact which may lead to suicidal ideation. 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia Andreasen (2006) highlights compulsive behaviour as an act of doing something repetitively. The act does not reward or provide the pleasure required. Compulsive behaviour when leads to obsession may cause a person to feel guilt, anxiety and stress. Compulsive behaviour obsession is quite disturbing because of its general gravity which may lead to family and social life ruin. Some forms of compulsive behaviour include TV viewing and gambling which are discussed in details here in. 4.1 Gambling Delfabbro & Thrupp (2003) states that gambling is a problem that needs to be addressed in Australia despite presence of structures and policies set to regulate the process. Gambling is common among young people, 18-35 years in un-predetermined relationship and those living in a low economic background status. Gamblers at this age are said to have started gambling early age or have been brought up by gambling families’. Delfabbro, Lahn & Grabosky (2005), gambling among the adolescent is prevalent with male group being the majority. Among the adolescent gambling is usually associated with greater chances of young generation indulging in other high-risk behaviours. Roberts (2008) such forms of behaviour leads the gamblers to collide with the law, fellow gamblers, and family members. This is because the gamblers may lack sufficient funds either to gamble or pay debts. Delfabbro (2008) mental health problems such as depression and reduced educational performance are some of consequences of gambling among the adolescents. Long-term practices of gambling started from childhood through adolescent may result to Roberts (2008) an inheritable psychological disorder. 4.2 Television viewing Cary (2004) demonstrated that TV addiction arises when one watches it for six hours or more daily. Non-viewers relate TV viewing as a form of depressant drug. This is because it limits someone from thinking and it is like a stimulus that nags a person to switch it on. However, most viewers say that TV is essential in releasing stress and offers a person a chance to relax. The same collection however, insists that TV viewing steals someone’s vital time which would have otherwise being invested in other technical and noble creative areas. Survey carried among college student showed that TV viewers experienced twice the following symptoms compared to non-viewers: unfocused daydreaming, boredom, distractibility and mind wandering (Carry, 2004) collection. TV addiction develops with time. It is worse for those who build this compulsive behaviour from childhood. Children aged between 11-17 years have neglected their homework and other house chores in respect to video game viewing. From different survey (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009) adolescents addicted to TV viewing did experience craving, withdrawal symptoms, sense of guilt and adapted heavy viewing techniques. In addition, TV viewing prejudices thinking capability among the adolescents and innovativeness. 5.0 Conclusion Social determinants are conditions shaped by policy choices, resources, power and money distribution at local, national and global levels and within communities and families. Addiction is any form of compulsive obsessive behaviour or substance use that is portrayed as excessive and is accompanied by craving, heavy consumption and withdrawal effects. To reduce substance and compulsive addiction among the adolescents in Australia, both the general public and the policy makers should work together to come up with the best strategy to avert addiction. (Word count 1480) 6.0 References Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008) retrieved 22/09/13 from Australian Bureau of Statistics http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008 Andreasen, A., R. (2006). Social Marketing in the 21st Century. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Cary, W., H. (2004). Measuring television addiction. Journal of broadcasting and electronic media 48:3,378-398, DOI: 10.1207/s15506878jobem4803-3 Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Geneva: world health organization Delfabbro, P., H. (2008). A review of Australian gambling research. Gambling Research Australia: Melbourne Delfbbro, P., H., Lahn, J. & Grabosky, P. (2005). Further evidence concerning the prevalence of adolescent gambling in Australia. Int Gambl Stud 5:209-228 Delfabbro, P., H. & Thrupp, L. (2003). The social determinants of gambling in south Australian adolescents. Journal Adolescent 26:313-330 De Meyrick, J., H. & Yusuf, F. (2006). The application of household expenditure data in the development of anti-smoking campaigns. Journal health education 106(3):227-237 Hastings, G., Stead, M. & Webb, J. (2004). Fear appeals in social marketing strategic and ethical reasons for concern. Psychological Mark 21(11):961-986 Leather, N. (2009). Risk-taking behaviour in adolescence: a literature review. Journal of Child Health Care 13(3):295-304 Li j., Mattes, E., Stanley, F., McMurray, A., & Hertzman, C. (2009). Social determinants of child health and well being. Health and Social Review 18:3-11 National Preventative Health Taskforce Alcohol Working Group technical report 3 (2008). Preventing alcohol-related harm in Australia: a window of opportunity; Canberra: Australian government preventative health Pascal, R., Chikritzhs, T & Gray, D, (2009). Estimating alcohol-attributable mortality among indigenous Australians: towards Indigenous-specific alcohol etiologic fractions. Drug and Alcohol Review, 96-200 Roberts, K. (2008). Problem Gambling Impacts; Gambling Impacts Society NSW: Sydney Tyas, S. and Pederson, L. (1999). Psychosocial factors related to adolescent smoking: a critical review of the literature. Tobacco Control 7(4):409-420 Wang, C., Henley, N. & Donovan, R. (2004). Exploring children’s conceptions of smoking addiction. Health Education Resources 19:626-634 Read More

0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia Substance use is a growing public health concern in Australia among all groups. Among the adolescents, illicit drug use and heavy drinking are the major cause of increased mortality and morbidity rates. According to (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008), adolescent at and above the age of 14 years do consume alcohol at high and risky levels. Tobacco smoking is on high consumption among the Australian adolescents. According to ABS, 2008 7% (58,000) adolescent aged 15-17 years were current smokers.

During the survey, 30,000 (4%) teens said that they were ex-smokers. Both alcohol use and tobacco smoking exposes the consumers to different health problems as highlighted here in. 3.1 Cigarette smoking According to Andreasen (2006), addictive behaviour is common to both active and passive smokers. Some commonly reported behaviours for those addictive to tobacco smoking include lack of control to smoking even in prohibited zones, frequency in smoking upon waking up. In his study Andreasen (2006), cigarette smoking affects the individual’s health, mental functioning and the need to use money.

Tobacco smoking leads to increased rates of morbidity such as cancer of the skin, lungs and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, Quality Adjusted Life Years has also faced tobacco smoking effects. Economist analysis shows that rather than inputting $4million shillings to other useful activities within households, this has been diverted to tobacco purchasing (de Meyrick & Yusuf, 2006). In Australia, antismoking campaigns with emphasizes to the dangers of smoking did prove to reduce smoking rates from 2000-2005 to 24%.

Some of physical effects of tobacco smoking include; (Leather 2009) stomach ulcers, liver diseases and liver carcinoma, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Tyas and Pederson (1999) adolescents involved in tobacco smoking find it hard to quit smoking, distress, poor food consumption which is likely to lead to under nutrition, some adolescent break the law to get money to purchase cigarette, others feel worked up before doing any activity of importance to the general society.

Consequently, suicidal lamentation, anxiety and depression and low-self-esteem are some of mental health factors arising from tobacco smoking among the adolescents. 3.2 Alcohol consumption In relation to world standards of alcohol consumption (Moodie, 2005), Australia reports high levels with 83% persons aged 14 years and above being consumers. In reference to the same study, this rates raises public health concern calling all levels for the government to take action. Alcohol consumption has not only raised the mortality and morbidity rates, but also morally harming passive drinkers.

According to (National Preventive Health Task Force Alcohol Working Group, 2008) alcohol consumption affects the individual for example it result to liver diseases or heart related condition, sexual dysfunction, gastritis or ulcers; leads to increased rates of road accidents pressurizing the Australian economy, impacts household functioning, disrupts and reduces productivity in workplace, increases family violence and affects general public safety. Pascal, Chikritzhs, and Gray, (2009) Prolonged alcohol use among adolescents results into impaired brain function which in turn results to memory blackouts, impaired judgement which provokes adolescents to indulge in high risk behaviours and poor memory coordination a fact which may lead to suicidal ideation. 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia Andreasen (2006) highlights compulsive behaviour as an act of doing something repetitively.

The act does not reward or provide the pleasure required. Compulsive behaviour when leads to obsession may cause a person to feel guilt, anxiety and stress. Compulsive behaviour obsession is quite disturbing because of its general gravity which may lead to family and social life ruin.

Read More

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Social Determinants and Addiction among Australian Adolescents

Alcoholism: Underage Drinking and Parents

The paper addresses both the social-cultural influences that cause the increase in binge drinking among young people as well as the various initiatives that can be taken to curb the changes in the consumption rates.... Adolescent alcoholism is a key concern for most parents and most nations as well since it results in a highly unproductive generation as well as high cases of recklessness among the youths in the world.... By identifying the key influential factors stimulating underage drinking, various social work institutions can institute measures that are likely to reduce the cases of underage drinking....
24 Pages (6000 words) Research Paper

The Importance of Social and Emotional Wellbeing to Toddlers

The report also elucidates the effect of health determinants in primary health care.... The paper "The Importance of social and Emotional Wellbeing to Toddlers" is an excellent example of a term paper on nursing.... The report highlights the significance of social and emotional wellbeing to toddlers.... The paper "The Importance of social and Emotional Wellbeing to Toddlers" is an excellent example of a term paper on nursing....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Adolescent Binge Drinking

The intention to explore its significance is because the use of alcohol among adolescents has become a significant health problem in the last few decades (Livingston 2008 p.... The same are strategies that could be used to address the problem of binge drinking that has affected many adolescents in Australia.... n addition, the essay also discusses the legal rights accruing to adolescents and the nurse as related to seeking redress from violations of binge drinking....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper

Integration of Aboriginal People into Australian Society

The paper "Integration of Aboriginal People into australian Society" critically analyzes the success of the closing the gap initiative providing the framework on a set of policies in education, health, and housing at all government levels in Australia and their impact on australian society.... Ever since the Redfern speech and the parliamentary apology, succeeding governments have enacted several social policies aimed at bringing the Aboriginal people at par with the non-Aboriginal australian society....
8 Pages (2000 words) Coursework

Single Parent Families - the Link between Socioeconomic Status, Health, and Their Policy Implication

he relevance of single-parent familiesThe connection between healthy single-parent families and various socioeconomic variables is paramount and brings into focus the impact of socioeconomic status on australian society.... The quality of health among single parenting families has been a question of fundamental importance given the increasing number of single parents in Australia making 11% of the population in 2011 (australian institute of family studies, n....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Using Incentives for Improving Treatment Compliance in Adolescents

According to the report, adolescents are more prone to life-threatening ailments due to their behaviors, such as alcohol misuse, unprotected sex, poor nutrition, tobacco smoking, excess body weight, high blood cholesterol among others.... According to recent studies in Australia, the number of adolescents living with chronic illnesses is bound to increase in the next 10 years.... adolescents take a greater pie of the Australian population, and therefore, their health is important (ABS, 2014)....
9 Pages (2250 words) Literature review

Causes and Effects of Substance Abuse and Drug

With a particular focus on the Aboriginal Australians, this paper examines how substance abuse and drug addiction affect the Aboriginal Australians, the social determinants of the health problem among them, and the likely stakeholders that can be engaged to address the social determinants of health problems.... A majority of the literature that investigated adolescent drug abuse identified risk for some adolescents, although more explicitly, found the minority youth to be specifically at risk of AOD exclusively due to their minority status (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2002)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Drug Addiction and Substance Abuse

It discusses the population that is most affected, how it affects the said population, the stakeholders, social determinants of drug addiction and substance abuse and how to engage the stakeholders in addressing the social determinants.... Drug addiction and substance abuse among youths and teenagers include the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and misuse of prescription drugs.... In most cases, substance abuse among the youth has dangerous effects as it can lead to drug dependence, addiction, disorders and in extreme cases can cause detrimental effects on health every year with underage drinking contributing to the death of teens overall as Rowe (2012) adds....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us