Comparison of Adjustment among Adolescent Boys and Girls of Substance Using Parents

Mrs. Sukhbir Kaur¹, Dr. (Mrs) Triza Jiwan²

¹Ph.D Nursing scholar, Assistant professor, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Sri Guru Ramdas College of Nursing, S.G.R.D. Medical institute of Sciences and Research, Amrisar, Punjab.

²Professor and Principal, Department of psychiatric nursing, Kular College of Nursing, Bija, Ludhiana, Punjab.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: sukh.jaura@yahoo.in

ABSTRACT:

Comparison of Adjustment among Adolescent Boys and Girls of Substance Using Parents.

The present study was conducted to assess the adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents of 9th and 10th standard of selected senior secondary schools with a purpose to investigate areas of adjustment in which the adolescents were not adjusted and to further implicate for the early screening of such adolescent at risk and therefore preventing substance use and other psychosocial problems among adolescents.

Methodology: A non experimental research approach and comparative research design was used to conduct the study. Four schools were selected by convenient method from the list of schools affiliated from P.S.E.B. Total 600 adolescents were screened, out of which 317 adolescents of non substance using parents 100 boys and girls were selected and out of 283 adolescents of substance using parents 100 adolescent boys and girls were selected. The random sampling technique (lottery method with replacement) was used to select the sample. The modified screening CAST-6 was used to screen the adolescents and A.K Singh and AP Sen Gupta standardized Adjustment inventory tool was used for collection of data.

Results: The data was analysed by descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square and t-test). The adolescent boys and girls were having good (66%) adjustment levels overall. The result revealed that girls (97.12+ 12.85) adjusted more than boys (95.00+ 12.85) and no significant difference was found among the two at p<0.05 level. School adjustment was found to statistically significant among boys and girls at p<0.05 level.

Conclusion: Therefore it can be inferred that most of adolescents of substance using parents were adjusted well but still boys were less adjusted and there is hence an imperative need for therapeutic intervention with this population.

KEYWORDS: Adjustments, Adolescents, Substance Using Parents.

INTRODUCTION:

Adolescence is believed to be a period of great stress as rapid physical and mental changes occur during this period. Typically, it is divided into three early 12-15 years, middle 15-18years, and late adolescent upto 18 years. Adolescents account for about 1/5^th of India^'s population (Anon, 2004)¹. Adolescents in disadvantaged communities are at elevated risk for exposure to multiple stressors, indicating high rates of crime and victimization, family poverty, family conflicts, increased prevalence of deviant peers and school with inadequate resources (Gonzales et al ., 2001)² Recent researches suggest that more young people are beginning to report of mental health problems ,as they perceives more stress . It is estimated that six to nine million children and adolescents in the United Stated have mental or behavioral problem .Indian Council of Medical Research reported that about 12.8 percent of children (1-16years) suffer from mental health problems. According to findings 69.56 percent of adolescent had suicidal behavior due to parent –child problems, about 17.39 percent due to partner relational problems, 8.69 percent due to adjustment disorders and 4.35percent of children due to depression (Preeti Louis and Emerson Arnold)³

Adjustment therefore has been considered as an index to integration; a harmonious behavior of the individual by which other individuals of the society recognize the person as well adjusted. Families are the primary source of support and care for most children. But most of children live in households where parents using substance. Empirical studies of parenting style have established that responsive parental involvement, encouragement of psychological autonomy, and demands for age appropriate behavior combined with limit setting and monitoring as seen in authoritative parenting contribute to good psychosocial, academic and behavioral adjustment with respect to adolescent adjustment, parental warmth / involvement and behavioral control area associated with greater social competence, autonomy, positive attitudes toward a school misconduct, delinquency and drug use (Lamborn et al ., 1996 )⁴.

Therefore the family plays a pivotal roles in providing the most congenial atmosphere in which the child forms his style of life and basic patterns of behavior most children who are successful and well adjusted come from homes where a wholesome relationship existed between them and their parents, whereas children who were discouraged and rejected at home, lacked concentration in school work (Bowlby, 1969 )⁵.

Parental substance use interrupts a child^’s normal development, which places these youngsters at higher risk for emotional, physical and mental health problems. Because parents who abuse alcohol or other drugs are more likely to be involved with domestic violence, divorce, unemployment, mental illness and legal problems, their ability to parent effectively is severely compromised. It seems, over the years, very limited amount of research has been done on adjustment problems of adolescents .Most of the problems centering adolescents are physical appearance , health and physical development , marked scored ,relationship with members of their may lead to absenteeism, low achievement and other unworthy habits of children (S. Subramanyam, 1986 )⁶.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

RESEARCH APPROACH:

Quantitative research approach was used

RESEARCH DESIGN:

Non-experimental comparative study research design was selected to conduct the study.

RESEARCH SETTING:

The setting of study was selected senior secondary schools, selected by convenient method from district Amritsar. The selected school was SGRD senior secondary school, Government senior secondary school Kot Baba Deep Singh, Government senior secondary school for boys Jandiala Guru, Government senior secondary school for girls Jandiala Guru, all respectively of district Amritsar.

VARIABLES:

Research variables: - Adjustment of adolescent boys and girls.

Demographic variables: - It include Age, Gender, Occupational status of mother , Occupational status of father, Religion of family, Type of family, Educational status of mother ,Educational status of father, Monthly income of family, Place of residence.

SOURCE OF DATA:

The data was collected from adolescent boys and girls of selected senior secondary schools of Amritsar, Punjab.

TARGET POPULATION:

Adolescents boys and girls of substance using and non-substance using parents.

SAMPLE:

Sample was adolescent boys and girls of 9^th and 10^th standard.

SAMPLE SIZE:

The sample size was determined based on the screening of adolescents by modified CAST-6 and from four selected schools (convenient method)and 600 adolescents of 9^thand 10^th standard were screened Out of which 317 were of non- substance using parents and 283 were of substance using parents . Out of 317 adolescents of non substance using parents 100 adolescents were selected for the study and from 283 adolescents of substance using parents 100 adolescents were selected to collect the data.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

Simple randomized technique (lottery method with replacement)

DISCRIPTION OF TOOL

Tool consists of three sections:-

PART-I MODIFIED CAST-6 (Children Alcoholic Screening Test-6): It comprises total six questions. Each question carry one mark. The minimum score to screen the adolescents of substance parents was 3 or more than 3.

PART-II DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES: It comprises of items of personal information like age, religion occupation status of mother and father, educational status of mother and father, type of family, monthly income, place of residence, gender of the child which were used to assess the baseline information of subjects.

PART-III ADJUSTMENT INVENTORY TOOL: The scale consisted 150 questions and had five sub parts, each part comprised of 30 questions. Each item contained minimum 30 scores and maximum 150 scores. Standardized High school adjustment inventory by A.K. Singh and A. Sen Gupta was selected and used. It consists of five categories of items covering all the main aspects of school life i.e. emotional, social, health, home and school and each category consists of 30 items.

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE:

Step I The data collection was started after taken the permission from the Principal of SGRD College of Nursing, Amritsar. Then permission also taken from the Principals of selected senior secondary schools.

Step II The adolescents of 9^thand 10^th standard were selected for the study of substance using and non substance using parents.

Step III The data was collected during their school timing as given by their principal’s permission. Convenient method was used for setting and simple randomized sampling technique (lottery method with replacement) was used. The instructions were given to the adolescents before filling the tool.

The verbally consent was taken from the students that this information is very important and give accurate data and the confidentiality is maintained. The average time taken by the adolescents was 30-40 mins.

Step-IV Modified CAST-6 Screening Tool was used to screen the adolescent boys and girls out of which 200 adolescent boys and girls of substance using and non-substance using parents were selected.

Step-V Demographic Variables was distributed to the selected adolescents to collect the basic information.

Step-VI Standardized Adjustment Inventory tool was used to assess the level of adjustment of adolescents of substance using and non-substance using parents. Queries were asked and cleared. Adolescents didn’t face any difficulty while filling the tool.

The scoring of the filled-in forms was done with the help of the transparent key prepared for each area and for total adjustment and according to the instructions mentioned in the test manual. The total score for each area of adjustment and the score for total adjustment of every subject were recorded in the specified space in the inventory.

RESULTS:

According to Objective 1: Determine the homogeneity between the selected demographic variables of adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents and non substance using parents.

Table 1(a) Shows that maximum adolescents boys and girls of substance using parents are in the age group 15-18 years(81%) and belongs to sikh religion (80%).

According to occupational status of mothers ,maximum mothers were Unemployed (84%) and 100% fathers were employed . As per educational status more mothers having informal education (37%) and fathers (29%). Maximum belongs to nuclear family(82%) having monthly income 5000-10000(57%) and living in urban area (59%). The chi square test was done to assess the homogeneity of the socio-demographic variables and both groups were found to be homogenous in age, religion and occupation of mother and type of family but no homogenity was found in education, family income and place of residence.

Table 1(a). Chi Square Value of Socio Demographic Variables of Substance Using Parents N = 100

Demographic Variables	Boys F	Girls f	Total %	χ²	df	p
1.Age
· 12-14	10	9	19
· 15-18	40	41	81	0.065	1	0.7988^NS
· 18 and above
2.Religion
· Hindu	7	13	20	2.25	1	0.1335^NS
· Sikh	43	37	80
3.Occupation Mother
· Employed	6	10	16
· Unemployed	44	40	84	1.1905	1	0.2752^NS
Occupation Father
· Employed	50	50
· Unemployed	0	0
4.Education Mother
· Informal	13	24	37
· Primary	6	16	22
· Middle	5	7	12	27.39	5	0.000**
· Secondary	13	3	16
· Higher Secondary	8	0	8
· Graduation and Above	5	0	5
5.Education Father
· Informal	15	14	29
· Primary	2	14	16
· Middle	5	13	18	22.88	5	0.002*
· Secondary	18	7	25
· Higher Secondary	9	2	11
· Graduation and Above	1	0	1
6.Types of family
· Nuclear	41	41	82	0	1	1.00^NS
· Joint	9	9	18
7.Family Monthly Income
· Less than Rs 5000	0	32	32
· Rs 5000 - Rs10000	43	14	57	47.57	2	0.000**
· Rs 10000 – Rs 20000	7	4	11
· Above 20000	0	0	0
8. Place of Residence
· Rural	7	34	41	30.13	1	0.00**
· Urban	43	16	59

NS = Non- significant * = significant at p < 0.05 level ** = significant at p < 0.01 level

Objective:

To assess and compare the adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents

Fig. 1 Percentage Distribution of Adolescent Boys of Substance Using Parents According to Levels of Adjustment

Table 2(a) and fig. 1 and 2 depicts that majority of adolescent boys and girls were having good adjustment level overall (66%). But as compared to boys (60%) girls were having better adjustment (72%). Thus, it is inferred that overall adolescents of substance using parents have good adjustment level.

Table 2(b) and figure 3 reveals that adolescent girls of substance using parents having more adjustment mean score 97.10+12.85 as compared to boys (95.00+12.85).

Fig.2 Percentage Distribution of Adolescent Girls of Substance Using Parents According to Levels of Adjustment

Table-2(a). Levels of adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents N=100

Category	Levels of Adjustment	Boys		Girls		Total
		f	%	f	%	%
A	Excellent	04	08	01	02	5
B	Good	30	60	36	72	66
C	Average	15	30	13	26	28
D	Unsatisfactory Very	-	-	- -	- -	-
E	Unsatisfactory	01	02	00	00	1

According to area of adjustment, girls adjusted more in area of home 20.02+3.8, emotional 19.34+3.39, and school 19.40+3.74 while boys were adjusted more in area of health 19.72+ 3.25 and social 20.10+ 2.99. School adjustment was found to be significant among Boys and Girls at p < 0.05 level. Since in school area of adjustment significant difference was found between the mean score of adolescent boys and girls p<0.05 level . Therefore research hypothesis H₁ is accepted and null hypothesis H_0Ais rejected.

Table-2(b). Comparison of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents N=100

Areas of adjustment	Boys		Girls		t-value	df	ρ
Areas of adjustment	Mean	SD	Mean	SD
Home	19.2	4.9	20	3.8	-0.909	98	.366^NS
Health	19.7	5.27	19.2	3.25	0.617	98	.539^NS
Social	20.1	4.97	19.2	2.99	1.146	98	.254^NS
Emotional	18.7	4.87	19.3	3.39	-0.715	98	.477^NS
School	17.2	4.205	19.4	3.74	-2.737	98	.007^**
Total	95	19.4	97.1	12.85	-0.637	98	.525^NS

NS = Non- significant ** = significant at p < 0.01 level

Fig.3 Comparison Mean Distribution Of Adolescent Boys And Girls Of Substance Using Parents

DISCUSSION:

To assess homogeneity of selected variables It shows that maximum adolescents boys and girls of substance using parents are in the age group 15-18 years(81%) and belongs to sikh religion (80%). According to occupational status of mothers ,maximum mothers were unemployed(84%) and 100% fathers were employed . As per educational status more mothers having informal education (37%) and fathers (29%). Maximum belongs to nuclear family(82%) having monthly income 5000-10000(57%) and living in urban area (59%). The chi square test was done to assess the homogeneity of the socio-demographic variables and both groups were found to be homogenous in age , religion and occupation of mother and type of family but no homogenity was found in education, family income and place of residence.

Stanley S, Vanitha C (2006)⁸ conducted a study to assess self esteem and adjustment of adolescent with alcohol abusing parents.The choice of same school respondents as the COAs also ensured a near homogenous socio-economic profile for both groups. Their socio-demographic profile is presented and the chi-square values indicate that the difference between the two groups is not significant.

L Preeti and E Arnold (2012)³ conducted a study on adjustment of adolescent girls and boys of substance using parents in higher secondary schools. The result shows that there were problems noted across emotional, social and educational domains in both boys and girls. However there were no significant gender differences.

Vipinder, N (2014)⁹ conducted to assess the social intelligence scale and adjustment level of secondary school students in relation to type of schooland gender. Insignificant differences were observed on social intelligence andadjustment in relation to type of school and gender.

To compare adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents It depicts that majority of adolescent boys and girls were having good adjustment level overall (66%). But as compared to boys (60%) girls were having more adjustment (72%) with substance using parents. Thus, it is inferred that overall adolescents have good adjustment with substance using parents.

It reveals that adolescent girls of substance using parents having more adjustment 97.10+12.85 where as boys having adjustment level 95.00+12.85. according to area of adjustment girls adjusted more in home 20.02+3.8, emotional 19.34+3.39, and school 19.40+3.74 while boys were adjusted in health 19.72+ 3.25 and social 20.10+ 2.99. of adjustment. School Adjustment was found to be significant among boys and girls at p <0.05 level. Therefore research hypothesis H₁ is accepted and null hypothesis H₀_Ais rejected.

Chauhan, V (2013)¹⁰ conducted on111 higher secondary students of drug district, as to certain their adjustment. The t-test results indicate that there is significant difference in adjustment of higher secondary school’s students and female students have good adjustment level when compared to the male students.

It shows that adolescents boys and girls of substance using parents were having higher adjustment mean score 96.05+16.4 as compared to adolescents boys and girls of non substance using parents with mean score 94.2+19.8, with t-value .723 but 198 degree of freedom with p-value 0.471 which was not significant at p<0.05 level. Therefore, it is concluded that research hypothesis H₂ is rejected and null hypothesis H_0B is accepted.

Stanley S and Vanitha, C (2006)⁸ conducted a study to assess self esteem and adjustment of adolescent with alcohol abusing parents. The data revealed low self esteem andpoor adjustment in all domains in adolescent of COA than the control.

Segrin and Menees (1996)¹¹, opine that children may exhibit undisturbed psychosocial functioning despite having an alcoholic parent and found no differences between adult children of alcoholic’s and controls

IMPLICATION OF THE STUDY:

The findings of the study on adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents suggested many implication for the nursing practices, nursing administration, nursing education.

The findings of the study indicated that adolescents boys and girls of substance using parents had good adjustment with their parents. It also indicate that girls adjusted better than boys of substance using parents.

Nursing practice:

It helps to provide basic mental health care to all needy especially adolescents living in rural, slum and tribal areas. It help the community mental health nurses to primarily focus on adjustment of adolescents at risk in order to prevent the psychosocial problems which in turn will reduce substance use among adolescents. It also helps the adolescent to make effective relationship with their parents by providing counseling to them. The findings of this study have definite implications for intervention in de-addiction settings. It highlights the fact that any effective de-addiction programme must acknowledge the ‘need’ of adolescent children to overcome and deal with various deficits in their psychosocial functioning.

Nursing administration:

Nurse administrator as an educator provide in –service education programme to the staff of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents. Acknowledgement programme could promote the quality of the performance of duties of nurses and enhance adjustment of adolescents with their parents.

Nursing education:

It is important to mention the implication of the present study for the education system. The findings of the investigation may provide help to college personnel, suitable methods of teaching and instruction so as to develop adjustment skills which is essential for high academic achievement. Assessment of individual with poor adjustment could provide suggestion for education and skill training, feedback to individual with average or high adjustment level.

Nursing research:

This study can be utilized by the emerging research for their reference purposes. It gives guidelines to others on various subject matters.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The study may be done to assess the adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents in different settings.

A descriptive study to assess the adjustment of adolescent of substances using parents in selected schools.

An experimental study to assess the adjustment of adolescent boys and girls of substance using parents in selected schools.

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