Citation

Lubman DI, Hides L, Jorm AF. Med. J. Aust. 2007; 187(5): 266-269.

Affiliation

ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. dan.lubman@mh.org.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Australian Medical Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17767429

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the beliefs of young people and their parents about the role of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Between May and August 2006, a national computer-assisted telephone survey was conducted on a representative sample of Australian youths aged 12-25 years. 3746 young people and 2005 of their parents were presented with a case vignette portraying psychosis, depression, depression with alcohol misuse, or social phobia in a young person. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants' beliefs regarding the role of substance use in preventing or dealing with mental disorders in young people. RESULTS: Over 85% of participants agreed that alcohol, tobacco and marijuana were harmful for the young people in the vignettes, and over 80% of youths agreed that not using marijuana or drinking alcohol in excess would reduce the risk of developing a similar problem. CONCLUSION: Young people and their parents are fully aware of the negative impact of substance use on mental disorders. Translating this knowledge into behavioural change will be a major challenge for future public health campaigns.

Language: en