Article Abstract & Critique - Essay Example

Full Nmae) (Unit) Article & Critique References: Tara M. Chaplin et al. “Parental–Adolescent Drug Use Discussions: Physiological Responses and Associated Outcomes.” Journal of Adolescent Health Volume 55, Issue 6, (2014): 730–735.AbstractPurposeAlthough talking to youth about drugs is often recommended to parents, we know little about how parents actually discuss drugs with their children in the moment and how parental advice is linked to youth arousal and substance use. This study examined observed parental drug use advice and parenting behaviors during parent–adolescent drug use discussions and associations with adolescent physiological responses and substance use.

MethodsFifty-eight 12–17 year olds and their primary caregivers participated in a laboratory session in which parents and youth discussed the topic of alcohol and/or drug use for 10 minutes. This discussion was videotaped and coded for drug use advice (rules against drug use, information on drug use consequences, scenarios or learning advice [discussing drug use scenarios and what the child has learned about drugs]) and general parenting behaviors (parental warmth and/or support, negative and/or critical parenting).

Before, during, and after the discussions, adolescents heart rate, blood pressure (BP), and salivary cortisol levels were assessed.ResultsParental discussion of scenarios and/or learning was associated with lower adolescent BP responses to the discussions and lower likelihood of substance use. Parental discussion of rules against drug use was associated with higher heart rate and BP responses and greater likelihood of substance use. Criticism and/or negative parenting were associated with higher cortisol responses and greater likelihood of substance use at a trend level.

ConclusionsParenting characterized by greater discussion of drug use scenarios and less stating of rules against drug use and criticism may make youth feel more comfortable and be linked to lower substance use.CritiquePurpose The purpose of the research is missing convincing power towards the parents. Despite identifying the role of parents against their children with regard to discussions on drugs, the purpose presents an incomplete situation of perceived parental participation in the discussion.

The research purpose recommends that parents should be the ones leading discussions on drugs with their children. However, the research purpose brings in some doubts concerning the current state of parents’ participation in the drug discussions. The purpose reveals that little is known concerning parents, actively, holding discussions with their children on drugs. Since there is no information on parents talking with their children about drugs, the effects of their advice on the children is hard to determine.

One cannot tell if parents have been either effective or ineffective in discouraging their children about substance abuse. Due to lack of information about parents discussing drugs with their children, the study tried to examine parental advice to their children on drug use as well as the type of parenting offered to adolescents. The study, however, fails to address resistance that parents face while advising their children against drug and substance use, during adolescent stage. Both positive and negative responses should be studied, to inform parents about possible responses that they are most likely to get from their children.

MethodsThe discussion session comprised of parents, primary caregivers and youths, currently, in the adolescent stage. From the information provided, the discussion about drug and alcohol use lasted for ten minutes. Looking at the time given for the discussion and the number of participants, there is a big mismatch. The time allowed for discussion is too short to arrive at any meaningful conclusion. Not all participants will have enough time to, fully, contribute in the discussion. The topic covered during the discussion is also too narrow.

It only involves alcohol and drug use. There no information about how drugs and alcohol are supplied to the adolescent youths. Various ways and means that the youths use to finance their habits should have been covered. The discussion will be of little importance if the accessibility of the drugs and alcohol is not identified and dealt with. The decision to videotape the discussion was right to undertake. The tape can be used to produce many copies and used for educating the youths against drugs and substance use.

The tape contained important and relevant information if used effectively, the outcome would be encouraging. The information ranged from rules against drug use, consequences of drug use, learning advice [about drugs]) as well as general parenting behaviors. Before, during, as well as after the discussions, blood pressure (BP), salivary cortisol levels adolescents heart rate were assessed. The information formed an important resource for educating and advising adolescent youths against drug and substance use.

ResultsThe results of the study revealed a lower blood pressure among adolescents, who participated in the research. There was a positive outcome concerning discussions about substance and drug use between parents and their children, at the adolescent stage. It became clear that substance and drug use can reduce drastically if parents can talk and educate their children about them. However, the results showed negative impacts regarding drug and substance use, in case parents concentrate on talking about rules prohibiting drug use.

There was a higher heart rate as well as substance use due to discussions touching on rules against them. Also, the use of criticism resulted to higher Cortisol responses. The results presented identified the use learning sessions about drugs as the most effective in reducing the likelihood of adolescent youths from using drugs and substances,ConclusionsThe author’s conclusion is consistent with regard to the results obtained. Greater use of learning discussions, by parents, is more effective in reducing the rate of drug and substance use among adolescent youths.

The use of criticism is, however, less effective in advising the youths against substance and drug use.