Substance use prevalence rates among migrant and native adolescents in Europe: A systematic review

Analyzing the Relationship Between Self-Efficacy in Protecting Against Substance Use and Loneliness in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Survey

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship between self-efficacy in protecting against substance use and loneliness in adolescents.

METHOD

This descriptive, cross-sectional study comprised 400 adolescents. A Sociodemographic Data Form, Self-Efficacy for Adolescents Protecting Against Substance Abuse Scale (SEAPSAS), and Short-Form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8) were used for data collection. Regression analysis and Pearson correlation analysis, as well as descriptive statistics, were used in data analysis.

RESULTS

Mean ULS-8 total score was 17.94 (SD = 5.07) and mean SEAPSAS total score was 68.78 (SD = 17.59). A weak significant negative relationship was found between mean ULS-8 total score and mean SEAPSAS subdimensions and total score. As a result of regression analysis, it was determined that ULS-8 total score negatively affected mean SEAPSAS total score by 24.9% (R2 = 0.249; B = -1.713; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Loneliness in adolescents, which was observed to negatively impact self-efficacy in protecting against substance use, should be addressed by psychiatric nurses through prevention activities and support programs and services, such as early detection and intervention. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(9), 29-36.].

Risk Behaviors among Migrant Adolescents in Italy

Adolescence is a critical period for engaging in health risk behaviors. Migrant adolescents may face unique challenges due to acculturation stress. This study aims to monitor substance use and problem gambling among migrant adolescents living in Italy. Data from the 2017/18 Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey in Italy were analyzed. The 18,794 participants included 15-year-olds, categorized as native or migrants, with ethnic backgrounds from Western, Eastern European, or non-Western/non-European countries. Girls had higher smoking rates, while boys exhibited higher prevalence of alcohol-related risk behaviors, cannabis use, and gambling. Boys from Eastern European countries displayed a greater risk of drunkenness (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.06-2.37), particularly in the first generation, while those from Western countries showed a higher risk of multiple substance use (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.05-1.96). Girls from Eastern European and non-Western/non-European countries had a lower risk of alcohol consumption (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29-0.85; OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.91, respectively). Finally, boys, especially those from Eastern European and non-Western/non-European countries, had a significantly higher risk of problem gambling (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04-3.22; OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.29-3.42, respectively). This disparity was more pronounced in the first generation, possibly due to acculturation challenges and socio-economic factors. Risk behaviors in adolescents are influenced by complex interplays of gender, cultural factors, and migration generation. Preventive strategies should consider these factors to effectively address substance use and gambling in this heterogeneous population.

Misuse of Pregabalin: a qualitative study from a patient's perspective

INTRODUCTION

The misuse of Pregabalin has been the subject of growing concern for several years. The effects sought are multiple and it is rarely taken as a single drug. It is most frequently used together with opioids, which may increase the risk of fatal overdose. In response to this emerging phenomenon, we seek to better understand the situation of misuse in Belgium and identify the people involved in it.

METHODOLOGY

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 20 participants who misuse Pregabalin was conducted throughout the French-speaking region of Belgium between August 2021 and January 2022. Recruitment mostly took place in addictions centers, shelters for migrants and homeless persons and primary care centers. We then conducted a thematic analysis with the help of Nvivo software.

RESULTS

A profile emerged, of young male users, immigrants, mainly first generation immigrants coming from North Africa. They had in common a challenging or even traumatic migration pathway and precarious living conditions in Belgian territory. Most of them had no stable income. They saw Pregabalin as enabling them to cope with their daily situation. All had psychiatric and/or somatic comorbidities for which they had apparently not recieved adequate medical care. This seemed to lead many of them to use Pregabalin as self-medication, for anxiety-depressive disorders and chronic pain, and it was sometimes initiated in their home country. Pregabalin was never used alone.

CONCLUSION

This study has highlighted a rare and insufficient documented profile of Pregabalin misuse: self-medication among a group of first generation immigrants, most of whom have no previous history of opioid-related disorders. Measures should be taken to improve access to health and social care for this population, considering all their biopsychosocial vulnerabilities.

Comparison of Mortality Rates between Italian and Foreign-born Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders

In Italy, although the number of foreign-born residents has grown exponentially, there are no data on mortality risk among migrants who have alcohol use disorders (AUDs). We examined the mortality risk and causes of death for natives and non-natives in a cohort of individuals treated for AUDs in Northern Italy in the period from 01/01/1975 to 31/12/2016. We highlight important characteristics of non-natives compared to Italians: 1) a younger age and a higher proportion of females; 2) a better health status; 3) a better social capital 4) a lower risk of death. We found differences in mortality between the various areas of origin, with a higher risk among participants born in Asia and African countries other than Mediterranean. The excess mortality compared to the reference population (SMRs) was at least three times for Italians and two times for migrants. While the non-native patients with AUDs have in general better health than Italians with AUDs, our results highlighted higher percentage of dropouts from treatment and lower access to Mental Health Services, suggesting that barriers to the access and completion of therapeutic programs still exist.

Are we overlooking alcohol use by younger children?

Alcohol use is a leading contributor to the burden of disease among youth. Early-onset use is associated with later life dependency, ill health and poor social functioning. Yet, research on and treatment opportunities for alcohol use among younger children are scarce. Despite knowledge that alcohol intake occurs in childhood, and the fact that children understand alcohol related norms and develop alcohol expectancies from age 4, younger children are rarely included in studies on alcohol use.Patterns of early alcohol use vary greatly across the globe and are part of complex interplays between sociocultural, economic and health-related factors. Family influence has proven important, but genetic factors do not seem to play a crucial role at this age. Stressful circumstances, including mental health problems and sociocultural factors can entice alcohol use to cope with difficult situations. The World Health Organization has developed guidelines for effective strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, including preventative and treatment interventions, but important gaps in implementation remain. An increased focus on research, policy and implementation strategies related to early alcohol use is warranted, granted its wide-ranging implications for public health and social functioning. In this summary of literature on alcohol use among younger children and adolescents, we show that younger children (aged 10 and younger) tend to be systematically overlooked. However, research, interventions and policy implementation strategies need to include younger children to mitigate the global burden of harmful alcohol use more effectively.