Teenagers with happy childhood memories tend to drink less, take fewer drugs and enjoy learning, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Research & Theory of slavery.
The findings, based on data from nearly 2,000 U.S. high school students, show a link between how students feel about the past, present and future and their behavior. in class. This in turn affects the rates and risk of substance abuse, according to the study.
The authors say action is needed now that Covid-19 has left many teens struggling with online exploration, suffering from depression and turning to alcohol and drugs.
They urge teachers – and parents – to help students develop positive mindsets and be encouraged to learn so that they are less likely to drink or use marijuana.
“School often seems to be a source of stress and anxiety for students,” says John Mark Froiland of Purdue University in Indiana, USA.
“This puts them at greater risk of not taking part in lessons, of having lower levels and of substance misuse.
“Many teenagers also do not engage in Covid online learning or have lower levels of communication.
“But they are more likely to be enthusiastic learners and not to use alcohol and drugs if teachers take the time to build positive relationships with them. They can help students see that everything they are learning is truly valuable. Parents have a place to play. also. “
Teenagers with a balanced view of childhood and other times have already shown by studies that they are more likely to abstain from alcohol and drugs and achieve academically. This compares with those with an optimistic outlook.
The aim of this study was to find out how students’ feelings about the past, present and future influence substance misuse and learning behaviors.
The data were based on assessments and questionnaires completed by 1,961 students at a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over half (53%) of the pupils included in the study were female.
The study authors looked at responses from pupils where they rated their sadness towards childhood, the normal levels of joy in life and the extent to which they look forward to future happiness. .
They also examined marijuana and alcohol use over the past 30 days including excessive drinking, and academic averages. They analyzed levels of motivation, and behavior in lessons as the extent to which teenagers were paying attention and listening.
Statistical methods were used by the researchers to assess the associations between these various factors and to establish the main predictors for alcohol and marijuana abuse.
Overall, the study found that positive attitudes toward the past, present and future place teens at lower risk for alcohol use, excessive drinking, and marijuana.
The opposite was true for those who exhibited depressive or negative ways of thinking or feeling about their past, present or future life.
The reason for this was that a content and optimistic outlook increased the likelihood of being motivated and behaving in a focused way on the learning opportunity.
Other findings include girls who have stronger behavioral levels than boys, and students who drink are more likely to use cannabis.
The study did not examine the long-term association between positive attitudes, student participation rates and substance misuse. The authors state that this is an area for future research.
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Magazine Reference:
Froiland, JM, et al. (2020) Positive and negative time perceptions, sexual motivation, behavioral communication and substance use among urban adolescents. Research & Theory of slavery. doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2020.1857740.