Abstract
ABSTRACT Aim Getting professional help in early-mid adolescence can reduce or eliminate harm related to substance use and risky situations. Research was conducted over eighty years ago that increased our understanding of cognitive development in the adolescent period (the concrete stage of development) of life. However, there is a need for a greater understanding of the Fundamental Attribution Error for substance use problems and risky behaviors. The current study identifies developmental and cultural factors that would facilitate or prevent adolescents from seeking support for problems. Method Eighty (80) eleven to thirteen-year-olds were recruited from a middle school in Washington State. A qualitative interpretative design using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used incorporating semi-structured, computer-generated interviews. Results Several overlapping themes that reflected barriers or enablers to seeking help were identified: approachability, confidentiality and trustworthiness, and perceived expertise. Help-seeking was facilitated when adolescents believed that the help source would be honest, would keep the information confidential; interpret the information accurately; were viewed as trustworthy; and possessed expertise in the field of substance use and risky behaviors. Conclusions These findings highlight perceptions that may influence help-seeking for substance use problems and risky behaviors. Mothers were reported to be the most significant supports in life, followed by fathers, then friends and siblings. These supports need further investigation. Further research is needed to determine if help-seeking can be facilitated by improving parent and peer knowledge of risky behaviors and promoting the expertise of health professionals. Additional research is needed into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Fundamental Attribution Error.
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