Applied Psychology - Journal Articles

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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/250

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Browsing Applied Psychology - Journal Articles by Subject "Adolescence"

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    Evaluating measures of allostatic load in adolescents: A systematic review
    (Elsevier B.V., 2021-06-29) Whelan, Eadaoin; O’Shea, Jen; Hunt, Eithne; Dockray, Samantha
    Background: Adolescents can experience heightened stress due to biopsychosocial changes that occur during this developmental stage. The ‘wear and tear’ of the physiological systems responsible for managing our stress response can lead to dysregulation of these systems, known as allostatic load (AL). AL is commonly measured within adult populations, however, inconsistencies exist across measures used to quantify the effects of stress on health. The aim of this review was to identify variations in measures across AL studies, and to consider how specific measures may be more appropriate for use within adolescent populations. Method: Pubmed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Academic Search Complete, were searched in July 2020, using search terms ‘allostatic load’ and ‘adolescence’. AL studies (1988–2020) with an adolescent population (age 10–24 years) were included. 354 records were screened by two reviewers and 41 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Results: 25 studies were included in final synthesis. Biomarkers of AL ranged from 1 to 14. The most common index of AL consisted of 6 biomarkers; cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body-mass index. Findings: Defining measures of AL during adolescence may help to identify vulnerabilities specific to adolescents, which may shape their lifelong health trajectories.
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    "You Don't Feel": The experience of youth benzodiazepine misuse in Ireland.
    (Taylor and Francis, 2017-09-27) Murphy, Kevin D.; Lambert, Sharon; McCarthy, Suzanne; Sahm, Laura J; Byrne, Stephen
    There are negative effects to inappropriate use of benzodiazepines, yet the percentage of young people in Ireland experimenting with benzodiazepines has increased. There is a paucity of research about why Irish young people misuse benzodiazepines. In this study, people between 18 and 25 years attending substance misuse services in the south of Ireland (N = 13) were interviewed in a semi-structured style between June 2012 and April 2013. Content analysis was performed. The main motivations for benzodiazepine misuse were to self-regulate negative emotions and to induce dissociation from their environment. Interviewees also described the consequences of benzodiazepine misuse, such as disengagement from family relationships and other protective environments such as school and sports clubs. The consequences of chronic misuse were discussed, such as the compulsion to take more benzodiazepines despite experiencing severe side-effects. The incidence of paradoxical aggression on benzodiazepines is also explored. Education about benzodiazepines and their risks to young people, families, and the public may reduce benzodiazepine misuse. Future research on the role of trauma and mental health in young people’s substance misuse is needed.