Optimistic students with “ happy ” memories related to lower risk of alcohol and drug use

Teens with happy childhood memories are likely to drink less, take fewer drugs and enjoy learning, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal. Drug addiction research and theory.

The results, based on data from nearly 2,000 American high school students, show a link between how students feel about the past, present and future and their behavior in class. This in turn influences their grades and risk of substance abuse, according to the study.

The authors say action is needed now as Covid-19 has left many teens struggling with online studies, suffering mentally and turning to alcohol and drugs.

They ask teachers – and parents – to help students develop a more positive mindset and motivate themselves to learn so that they are less likely to drink or use marijuana.

“School often seems to be a source of stress and anxiety for students,” says John Mark Froiland of Purdue University in Indiana, United States.

“This puts them at a greater risk of not attending classes, getting lower grades and using substances.

“Many teens either do not engage in e-learning during Covid or have lower levels of engagement.

“But they are more likely to be enthusiastic learners and not to use drugs and drinks if teachers take the time to build more positive relationships with them. They can help students see that all that. they learn is really valuable. Parents have a role to play too. “

Studies have already shown that adolescents who have a balanced attitude towards their childhood and other periods of time are more likely to abstain from drinking and drugs and to be successful academically. This is compared to those who have a pessimistic view.

The aim of this study was to establish how substance abuse and learning behaviors are affected by students’ feelings about the past, present and future.

The data was based on assessments and questionnaires completed by 1,961 students at a San Francisco Bay Area high school. More than half (53%) of the students included in the study were women.

The study authors looked at student responses where they rated how nostalgic they were for their childhood, current levels of happiness in life, and how eagerly they look forward to future happiness.

They also analyzed marijuana and alcohol habits over the past 30 days, including heavy drinking and average school grades. They analyzed levels of motivation and behavior in the lessons, such as the level of attention and listening of adolescents.

Statistical techniques have been used by researchers to assess associations between all these different factors and establish the main predictors of alcohol and marijuana abuse.

In general, the study found that positive attitudes toward the past, present, and future put teens at lower risk for alcohol use, heavy drinking and marijuana use.

The opposite was true for those who displayed pessimistic or negative ways of thinking or feeling about their life in the past, now or in front of them.

The reason was that optimistic content and outlook increased the likelihood that they would be motivated and behave in a way targeted to the possibility of learning.

Other findings include girls with higher levels of behavioral engagement than boys, and students who drank were the most likely to use cannabis.

The study did not examine the long-term relationship between positive attitudes, student engagement levels, and their substance abuse. The authors say this is an area for future research.