Long-term Emotional Problems Research Articles

Correlates of adolescent sole-, dual- and poly-use of cannabis, vaped nicotine, and combusted tobacco

BackgroundCompared to single substance use, adolescents’ use of multiple substances is associated with more severe dependence, cessation outcomes, and health risks. This study examined correlates of use and co-use of e-cigarettes, combusted tobacco, and cannabis among high school-aged (9th-12th grade, approximately aged 14–18) adolescents. MethodsWe analyzed the 2019 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS) data to calculate the weighted means of any past 30-day sole-use of e-cigarettes, sole-use of combusted tobacco, sole-use of cannabis, dual-use of two of the above substances, and poly-use of all three substances. We then used weighted multinomial logistic regression to examine the associations between demographic, social and behavioral factors and sole-, dual-, and poly-use (vs. no use) of these substances. ResultsAmong N = 1614 respondents, any past 30-day dual-use of e-cigarettes and cannabis was the most prevalent (17.2%, SE: 1.3%). Sole-use of combusted tobacco was less than 1%, whereas 4.5% (SE: 0.7%) of respondents reported poly-use of e-cigarettes, cannabis, and combusted tobacco. Lower academic grades and self-reported depression (1 item on persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness) were associated with increased odds of dual-use of e-cigarettes and cannabis and poly-use (vs. sole-use of any substance). Adolescents who self-reported having “any long-term emotional problems or learning disabilities” had greater odds of poly-use. ConclusionDifferent sets of correlates were associated with sole-, dual-, and poly-use, suggesting that certain adolescents may be more vulnerable than others to multiple substance use. Future research should examine potentially modifiable upstream influences, such as the home environment and socioeconomic factors that may affect the relationship between adolescent mental health, school performance, and multiple addictive substance use.

Evaluation of the effects of psychotherapy on anxiety among mothers of children with leukemia.

Children with leukemia and their families face a long period of medical treatment and uncertainty about the future. These families may suffer from short- and long-term emotional problems. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of supportive psychotherapy on the anxiety of mothers whose children suffer from leukemia. The current research were performed on mothers who had a child with leukemia hospitalized in Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran. They were randomly selected. The research method was a quasi-experimental study with pretest/posttest design. The pretest Kettles' anxiety questionnaire was given to all the mothers and after seven sessions of supportive psychotherapy, the posttest was performed and the grades were compared. Ten mothers finished all seven therapeutic sessions. There was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest mean scores, confirming the mothers' reduced anxiety level. Finding effective and newer approaches to improve the well-being of parents with a sick child is an important challenge of today's medical researches. Based on our findings, it is possible to reduce the anxiety in mothers of children with leukemia through supportive psychiatric therapies. Leukemia; Mothers; Anxiety; Psychology; Child.

Impotence Is Not Always Psychogenic

To the Editor.— The recent article Impotence Is Not Always Psychogenic: Newer Insights Into Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Dysfunction by Spark et al (243:750, 1980) deserves comment. The title implies that impotence (an inappropriate word that sexologists have replaced with erection problems) has been established by paradigm as always being psychogenic, which is not so. The training of all sexologists and reputable sex therapists concentrates on the differential elimination from sex therapy of all patients with physical or longterm emotional problems. Such patients should be referred for appropriate medical or psychiatric treatment. The association of erectile dysfunction with hormonal deficit is tenuous. While the exogenous administration of androgens to women has been shown to create sexual desire, similar administration to men has thus far only been linked to aggressive behavior and metabolic effects. Zilbergeld 1 wonders how many men have accepted a sexless life because the testosterone shots failed to help and the