AP51645

Science Summary Prompt

As soon as teens get introduced to alcohol, majority of them think that the drinks are going to solve all their problems. But the real question is: Do teenagers turn to alcohol because of depression? Adolescents who behave aggressively are more likely to drink alcohol and in larger quantities than their peers (Finland.) Depression and anxiety were not linked to increased alcohol use. The study investigated the association between psychosocial problems and alcohol use among 4074 Finnish 13- to 18-year-old adolescents (Journal of Adolescence.) The results had indicated that smoking and attention problems increase the chances of teenagers drinking. For young women, early menarche and parental divorce plays a key role in increasing alcohol use. Believe it or not, girls tend to have more of an aggressive behavior than boys. "The findings raise questions about a possible change in the behaviour of adolescent girls and their vulnerability during adolescent social and emotional development" (Eila Laukkanen.) Out of all the study participants, 60% reported to use alcohol. Among fifteen year old girls, more than 50% reported to use alcohol as well. The significant difference between the alcohol use of boys and girls were not found. I personally believe that teenagers under age should not have any contact with alcohol. Turning to alcohol does not help in any situation. Alcohol use that begins early in adolescence can increase the probability of mental health problems and alcohol dependence, and be detrimental to brain development. Although, there needs to be more data in order to find out weather or not there is a difference in alcohol use between boys and girls (Barret's Law #3.)

References: Petri Kivimäki, Virve Kekkonen, Hannu Valtonen, Tommi Tolmunen, Kirsi Honkalampi, Ulrich Tacke, Jukka Hintikka, Soili M. Lehto, Eila Laukkanen. **Alcohol use among adolescents, aggressive behaviour, and internalizing problems**. //Journal of Adolescence//, 2014; 37 (6): 945 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.06.011

University of Eastern Finland. "Aggressive behaviour increases adolescent drinking, depression doesn't." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 August 2014. [|www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140806094706.htm].

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