Risk factors AD

Question 1

risk factors

Answer 1

any internal or external factors that increases the likelihood that someone with use an addictive substance

Question 2

genetic vulnerability

Answer 2

any inherited predisposition that increases the risk of a disorder or condition

Question 3

stress

Answer 3

stressful life events and traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood are important risk factors for addiction

Question 4

personality

Answer 4

various traits that increase a person’s likelihood to develop an addiction

Question 5

family influence

Answer 5

how much the risky individual believes their parents approve of the behaviour is a risk factor

Question 6

peers

Answer 6

the attitude of peers towards addictive substances or behaviours are a risk factor in teenagers

Question 7

There are 2 mechanisms that create a genetic vulnerability to addiction:

Answer 7

1. D2 receptor
2. Nicotine enzyme (CYP2A6)

Question 8

D2 receptor

Answer 8

dopamine transmission is affected by someone’s number of dopamine receptors. Addicts have an abnormally low amount of D2 receptors. Less receptors means less dopamine activity, hence using drugs to compensate for this.

Question 9

Nicotine enzyme (CYP2A6)

Answer 9

Addiction is linked to how some people can metabolise easier. Pianezza et al found that some people lack the enzyme (CY2A6) which metabolises nicotine. These people smoke less than those with a fully functioning enzyme. Expression of this enzyme is genetically determined.

Question 10

Rey et al

Answer 10

genes are central factor

Question 11

Support from adoption studies

strength for genetic vulnerability

Answer 11

• Kendler et al used data from the National Swedish Adoption Study
• Looked at adults who had been adopted away from at least one biological parent with an addiction
• These children had significantly greater risk of developing an addiction
  Supports the role of genetic vulnerability as an important risk factor

Question 12

Anderson and Teicher → adverse childhood experiences

stress

Answer 12

• Early experiences of extreme stress have damaging effects on young brains in a sensitive period of development
• Creates vulnerability to later stress
• Further stressful experiences trigger the vulnerability to the point where people self medicate with drugs

Question 13

Issue of causation

limitation of stress

Answer 13

• Strong positive correlation between stressful experiences and addiction
• But this does not mean that stress is a risk factor, it is the order that matters
• Some people become addicted before major stress events and then this causes greater stress in their lives due to the negative effects on lifestyles
  Cannot conclude stress is a significant risk factor based on correlational studies alone.

Question 14

Petry - personality

Answer 14

Addiction is linked to disordered personality e.g. Antisocial Personality Disorder APD

Question 15

Robins - personality

Answer 15

argues APD is a causal risk factor as the people break norms, are impulsive and behave criminally. So young people with APD will take drugs as it is against norms and is criminal, thus satisfying their desires.

Question 16

Support for the link between addiction and APD

strength for personality

Answer 16

• Studies show that APD and addiction are co-morbid
• Bahlmann et al interviewed 55 alcoholics of which 18 also had APD
• On average, their APD developed 4 years before their alcoholism started
  APD is a personality-related risk factor for alcohol addiction.

Question 17

Livingston et al → alcoholism

family influences

Answer 17

• Final year high school students whose parents allowed them to drink were more likely to drinks excessively at college
• Teens who believe their parents have no interest in monitoring their devices are more likely to develop an addiction
• Teens perception is more important than whether parents actually monitor their behaviour

Question 18

research support for family influences

Answer 18

• Madras et al found strong positive correlation between parents use of cannabis and their children’s use of cannabis
• Adolescents model parents behaviour
• May infer that parents approve of drug taking
  Parental substance abuse is a risk for wider addiction in teen offspring

Question 19

O’Connell et al suggests 3 major elements to peer influence for alcoholism:

Answer 19

1. Attitude and norms of at risk teen about drinking and having peers who drink
2. Experiences with peers allow at risk teen to drink more
3. Teen overestimates how much peers are drinking, but tries to keep up

Question 20

RWA for peers

Answer 20

• Social norms marketing advertising SNMA is an intervention to change mistaken beliefs about drinking
• Uses mass media to provide statistics
  Identification of risk factors can suggest ways to reduce influence