Hopelessness in adolescent alcohol abusers

Abstract

The relation between the age that individuals received a Juvenile Alcohol Violation citation and the psychological characteristics of hopelessness will be investigated in subjects under the age of twenty one who were enrolled in the Youth Alcohol and Drug Education program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Fox Valley Technical College. Beck’s Hopelessness Scale will be used to determine the level of hopelessness in each subject and will be linked to the corresponding age of the subject. The findings will address the relationship between the age of receiving a Juvenile Alcohol Violation citation and the level of hopelessness perceived by the subjects. The relationship between the psychological characteristics of hopelessness and the age of the subjects may suggest that the academic approach to underage drinking diversion may not be sufficient in addressing the needs of the younger subject.