Abstract

NUNO-GUTIERREZ, Bertha Lidia  and  GONZALEZ-FORTEZA, Catalina. The social representation guiding parental decisions to face drug consumption of their teenage children. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2004, vol.46, n.2, pp.123-131. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE:. To identify the social representation guiding decisions of parents of teenage drug users to face consumption of their children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative study using free lists, characterization questionnaires, and in-depth interviews was performed among 60 systematically selected parents of young drug users who were receiving treatment in Centros de Integración Juvenil. Data analysis included correlations and interpretive analysis. RESULTS: Three stages were identified: 1) discovery of the addiction, characterized by parental disappointment; 2) permanence: The highest in duration, resource investment, and losses; and 3) withdrawal: Featured by seeking health services. CONCLUSIONS: The representation that guided parental decisions was "the offer of a better world", which stemmed from the social, cultural, and family context that revolves around consumption and that was sustained by two beliefs: "Learning from mistakes" and "where there is a will there is a way".

Keywords : addiction; adolescence; drugs; family; family therapy; social representations; Mexico.

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