Question

Is the research described in the assigned article (Swendsen, Conway, Degenhardt, Glantz, Jin, Merikangas, Sampson, & Kessler, 2010) descriptive or causal? Does the research determine cause or association? Justify your answer with evidence from the article and our readings.

Answer 1

Is the research described in the assigned article (Swendsen, Conway, Degenhardt, Glantz, Jin, Merikangas, Sampson, & Kessler, 2010) descriptive or causal? Does the research determine cause or association? Justify your answer with evidence from the article and our readings.

This is a causal study where the primary mental disorders and their roles in the form of risk factors which later pave way for dependence on illicit drugs and substance abuse. The research determines association and not cause. It only determines prospective risks and a follow up of certain behaviors. It does not state that these primary mental disorders are the reason why people are using. It has also identified that there are strong Association with mood and anxiety disorders as well as behavioural disorders and dependence of many mental disorders. This was carried out to look for preventive strategies of treatment fir target of these substance use disorders.

“Particularly strong and consistent associations were observed for behavioral disorders and previous substance use conditions, as well as for certain mood and anxiety disorders. Conditional analyses demonstrated that many observed associations were limited to specific categories of use, abuse or dependence, including several mental disorders that were nonsignificant predictors in the aggregate analyses.” (Swendsen, Conway, Degenhardt, Glantz, Jin, Merikangas, Sampson, & Kessler, 2010)