NCJ Number
220790
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse: An International Interdisciplinary Forum Volume: 42 Issue: 10 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 1537-1544
Date Published
September 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The study explored factors related to problems of alcohol use among working adolescents of Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
The study’s results, based on a sample of working youth representing low standards of living in Ankara, Turkey, indicated that problems related to alcohol use were found to correlate to their length of stay in Ankara; alcohol use correlated with life and length of stay in an urban environment. Additionally, using a multivariate analysis, the anxiety and hopelessness scores, and the length of stay in Ankara were found to be related to alcohol-use problems of the working youth. Probable effects of acculturation or forming sub cultural communities on alcohol use constitute another aspect of urbanization, in addition to unstable living and working conditions associated with urban life for the working class. Experiencing and reporting hopelessness and anxiety, which serve to reflect cognitive appraisal of one’s future life, were closely related to alcohol use problems among working youth. Likewise, youth often responded to poor working conditions and low sense of control over work with hopelessness and depression, and by increasing their alcohol consumption; working youth manifested more negative self-image, personal ideals, and occupational and educational expectations when compared to the students in the same age group who had a comparable socioeconomic status. The relationship between anxiety and alcohol use in the adolescents was not significant. The study investigated the psychosocial correlates of alcohol use related problems in a sample of 581 working adolescents(n=4,405), recruited from 5 vocational schools in Ankara, Turkey in June 2004 using the CAGE questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The study’s limitations are noted and future research is suggested. Tables, glossary, references