Risk Factors: Age

Question 1

What are ethical issues in researching addiction?

Answer 1

Threat of sanction

This is the possibility that research may reveal something incriminating in some way e.g. people with drug addictions may reveal illegal behaviour as part of an interview

Researchers must therefore weigh up the potential benefits and risks of doing the research e.g. possibilites for intervention vs futher discrimination

Question 2

Risk Factors: Age

Key Studies

Answer 2

Brown et al 1997

Question 3

Risk Factors: Age

Answer 3

The influence of peers on smoking and drug use appears to wane in later adolescence and the role of close friends, and particularly romantic partners, becomes increasingly important as an influence on attitudes and behaviours, especially those that are health-related (Brown et al 1997). The social crowd e.g. peers might have a greater impact on smoking and drug use for young adolescents, while the best friend and/or romantic partner plays a greater role later on