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Dangerous Journeys

Dangerous Journeys. A metaphor for passage through the teen years Marvin Krank. How can we help youth get through these perilous times. Mixed messages. Project on Adolescent Trajectories and Health (PATH): social context, cognition, risk-taking behaviour, and health outcomes.

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Dangerous Journeys

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  1. Dangerous Journeys A metaphor for passage through the teen years Marvin Krank

  2. How can we help youth get through these perilous times

  3. Mixed messages

  4. Project on Adolescent Trajectories and Health (PATH): social context, cognition, risk-taking behaviour, and health outcomes • Three-year longitudinal study • Funded by the SSHRC and CIHR • Partnership with SD#23

  5. Overview of theoretical approach Social Context Health Outcome Cognition Behavior • Social factors modify cognitions about risky behaviors • Cognitions affect transitions to risk-taking behavior • Risk-taking behaviors impact on health outcomes

  6. Life style choices begin in adolescence Drug and alcohol use begin in the early teens Many smokers begin before age 14 Risky choices have long-term consequences for youth early pregnancy accidents unhealthy lifestyles lost opportunities

  7. Grades 7-10 are a time of significant transitions in drug and alcohol use

  8. A small, but significant percentage of these youth used drugs and alcohol in the past week

  9. High risk behaviours tend to co-exist Drug and alcohol use, early and unsafe sexual activity, and violence tend to co-occur For example, heavier drug and alcohol use is linked to being both a victim and a perpetrator of sexual assault.

  10. Drug and alcohol use are highly correlated

  11. Are aboriginal youth at greater risk? • Nine out of twelve comparison measures show higher levels of use • May mask levels of use as we have a lower level of participation and higher drop out rate (50% versus 20%) • School drop outs have much higher levels of use!

  12. Culturally Specific Risk Factors • Ethnic Dislocation (May, 1982; Oetting, Beauvais &Velarde, 1982; Trimble Padilla, & Bell, 1987) • Acculturation Stress (LaFromboise, 1988) • Alienation from the Larger Culture (Moncher et al., 1990) • Unstructured time on reservations, during which drinking is also a response to boredom (Edwards & Edwards, 1988)

  13. Why weshould care

  14. Adolescent risk is based on what they do Unsafe sex in youth leads to teen pregnancy, low birth weight babies, and STDs including HIV Drug and alcohol use increase unintentional injuries, the leading cause of death in youth

  15. Health Aches and pains Accidents Hospitalization Violence Victim Perpetrator Various kinds Bullying Assault Sex Early sex Regretted sex Sexual assault Problembehaviours Skipped school Stayed out all night without parent permission Damaged property Warned or detained by police School detention Stole something outside of home Stole at home Suspended out of school Suspended in school Ran away from home Carrying weapons Early and heavy alcohol use is correlated with many negative outcomes

  16. Modern Risk Prevention Programs • Deal with social and cultural influences • Encourage alternative activities • Correct misconceptions about drug and alcohol use

  17. Contemporary Evidence-based Methods • Less confrontational • Motivate change • Meet individuals where they are • Age and Stage appropriate • Culturally responsive • Community participation • Can be brief interventions

  18. Journeys of the Circle Addictive Behaviors Research Center Journeys of the Circle Seattle Indian Health Board Journeys of the Circle University of Washington Canoe Journey a metaphor for Life's Journey

  19. Canoe Journey, Life’s Journey • Development of Culturally Relevant Life Skills Manual • Canoe Journey as a metaphor for life’s journey • Use of other traditionally Native symbols, particularly the Medicine Wheel • Medicine Wheel generally understood to have similar meaning across tribal boundaries

  20. Conclusion • The real war on drugs is the battle for the hearts and minds of our youth • We don’t want to prevent them from taking the journey, but we do want them prepared for challenges along the way.

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