Alcohol Use in Adolescents Discussion

Discussion: Study Question Proposal

Throughout this course, you will identify the steps in developing a research study. You will not be conducting the research or writing a full proposal; however, you will become familiar with the research process itself

The research process contains many steps; the first is to identify a study question. Normally, a researcher will find a topic through personal or professional interest and direct it toward solving a problem. For the purpose of this course, you will select one of the topics presented below.

• Childhood diabetes
• Alcohol use in adolescents
• Skin cancer in young women
• Cardiovascular disease in the minority population
• Long-term care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease
• Cultural impact of posttraumatic stress disorder
• Opioid crisis
• Prescription drugs
• Climate change
• Breastfeeding

The consequences of underage drinking include a range of physical, academic, and social problems. Perhaps most frightening is the fact that alcohol is the leading contributor to morbidity and mortality in youth. Alcohol use is the leading contributor to death due to injuries, the primary cause of death in individuals younger than 21 years of age. Annually, 5,000 youth die of alcohol-related injuries that involve underage drinking. This includes injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes (∼1,900), homicides (∼1,600), and suicides (∼300), as well as unintentional injuries not related to motor vehicle crashes. Among studies of adolescent trauma victims, alcohol is reported in 32% to 45% of hospital admissions. The association between alcohol use and violent behavior is well documented. Numerous studies of adolescents report that alcohol use is linked to both violent behavior and to violence-related injuries. (5)(6)

Other harmful behaviors and negative consequences frequently related to excessive drinking among adolescents are high-risk sexual behaviors (unplanned and unprotected intercourse); sexual misconduct, including rape; and assaults. Having multiple sexual partners, failing to use condoms, and performing other high-risk sexual behaviors have been associated with alcohol use in adolescents. Furthermore, alcohol use by the offender, victim, or both has been linked to sexual assault, including date rape.