Addiction - risk factors Flashcards
What is a risk factor
Variable associated with increased risk of disease/infection
What are the 5 risk factors
Genetic vulnerability, stress, personality, family influences, peers
What is genetics as a risk factor
Vulnerability to drug dependence is inherited, and has a faulty A1DRD2 gene
What is an example of genetics as a risk factor
No. of dopamine receptors and enzyme activity responsible for metabolism of addictive processes e.g alcohol
Who conducted evidence for genetics as a risk factor
Shields
What was Shields’s research into genetics as a risk factor
Adoption study, measured concordance rate between 42 twin pairs reared apart. Only 9 pairs were discordant, so genetics are a factor in smoking
What are 3 negative evaluations for genetics as a risk factor
Biological reductionist - unlikely to be whole explanation
Biological determinism - therefore socially insensitive as suggests people are destined to become addicts
No concordance rate of 100% - environment must be a factor
What is stress as a risk factor
Consistent trigger for addiction if chronic and unmanaged
What is a study into stress as a risk factor for addiction
Driessen et al
What did Driessen et al find for stress as a risk factor
30% of drug addicts and 15% alcohol addicts had some form of early trauma
What is the tension reduction hypothesis
People engage in addictive behaviours to relieve stress
What is the best way to reduce stress, and a study
Hardiness - Kobasa (3C’s):
Commitment (strong sense of purpose)
Control (internal loc to avoid addiction)
Challenge (rather than a threat)
What are 3 evaluations for stress as a risk factor
- Doesn’t fully explain addiction
+ Hardiness brings face validity as it explains those who suffer stress but not addictions
+ Prac ap - stress management therapy
What is personality as a risk factor
Some traits may contribute to addiction (ASPD - impulsive issue)
What research is there regarding personality as a risk factor
Eysenck
What did Eysenck find regarding personality as a risk factor
3 supertraits:
- Extraversion - extroverts are underaroused
- Neuroticism - low emotional stability and stress tolerance
- Psychoticism - antisocial and impulsive
What are 2 evaluation points for personality as a risk factor
+ Explains individual differences
+ Holistic - more so than genetics
What is family influences as a risk factor
Perceived parental approval and exposure is a key factor
What theory links with family influence as a risk factor
SLT - vicarious reinforcement
What is peer influences as a risk factor for addiction
Same as family therapy but argued to be more important at age of 18
What theories does peer influence as a risk factor link to
SLT - normative social influence
What are 2 evaluations of peer influences as a risk factor
- Fails to explain addiction in later life
+ Prac aps for those affected
