Effects of Alcohol Use Initiation Patterns on High-Risk Behaviors among Urban, Low-Income, Young Adolescents

Abstract BackgroundPsychological distress is a mental health condition that is common in adolescents. It negatively affects the academic performance of adolescents, relationships with family and friends, and the ability of adolescents to participate fully in the community. Stressful life events in low income countries and risk taking behavior of adolescents have raised concerns on the magnitude and impact of psychological distress among adolescents in Uganda. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress and assess the high risk behaviors associated with psychological distress among secondary school students in Uganda. MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit study participants and a total of 921 students participated in the study using a self-reported questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed by Kessler’s psychological distress scale (K10). To identify high risk behaviors associated with psychological distress, multinomial logistic regression was used with p <0.05 and 95% confidence interval. ResultsThe prevalence of psychological distress was 57%. Risky sexual behavior, alcohol consumption, smoking and substance use were associated with psychological distress. Also, boarding school students, those in mixed schools, students that own mobile phones and adolescents with chronic illness were more likely to report psychological distress. ConclusionThe prevalence of psychological distress is high among school going adolescents and risky behaviors were associated with psychological distress. The findings suggest the need to address mental health issues in adolescents.

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Compulsive Alcohol Use and Other High-Risk Behaviors among College Students

American Journal on Addictions ◽

10.1111/j.1521-0391.2010.00090.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 14-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Paola Pedrelli ◽

Stella Bitran ◽

Irene Shyu ◽

Lee Baer ◽

Jenny Guidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

High Risk ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

High Risk Behaviors

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The SRM Approach to Family Assessment

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.21.4.216 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 216-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

William L. Cook

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Social Relations ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Family Dynamics ◽

Family Assessment ◽

High Risk Behaviors ◽

Analysis Group ◽

The Social ◽

Direction Of Effects

Abstract. In family systems, it is possible for one to put oneself at risk by eliciting aversive, high-risk behaviors from others ( Cook, Kenny, & Goldstein, 1991 ). Consequently, it is desirable that family assessments should clarify the direction of effects when evaluating family dynamics. In this paper a new method of family assessment will be presented that identifies bidirectional influence processes in family relationships. Based on the Social Relations Model (SRM: Kenny & La Voie, 1984 ), the SRM Family Assessment provides information about the give and take of family dynamics at three levels of analysis: group, individual, and dyad. The method will be briefly illustrated by the assessment of a family from the PIER Program, a randomized clinical trial of an intervention to prevent the onset of psychosis in high-risk young people.

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