Beliefs of young people and their parents about the harmfulness of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco for mental disorders

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the beliefs of young people and their parents about the role of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Between May and August 2006, a national computer-assisted telephone survey was conducted on a representative sample of Australian youths aged 12-25 years. 3746 young people and 2005 of their parents were presented with a case vignette portraying psychosis, depression, depression with alcohol misuse, or social phobia in a young person. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants' beliefs regarding the role of substance use in preventing or dealing with mental disorders in young people. RESULTS: Ove..