RT - Journal Article T1 - Adolescents’ Perspectives on Addiction: A Qualitative Study JF - ijpcp YR - 2005 JO - ijpcp VO - 10 IS - 3 UR - http://ijpcp.iums.ac.ir/article-1-98-en.html SP - 250 EP - 257 K1 - Key words: addiction K1 - cigarettes K1 - alcohol K1 - adolescents K1 - qualitative study AB - Abstract Objectives: The aim of this qualitative project was to ascertain the adolescents’ perspectives re-garding health and addiction. Method: 41 adolescents from Tehran (22 males, 19 females) between 11 and 19 years of age were evaluated by way of open and semi-structured interviews. These subjects were selected by sampl-ing based on the project objectives. The interviews with the subjects were tape-recorded, then trans- cribed, and finally content analyzed. Findings: 87% of subjects under the study claimed friendships and connections with cohorts and 15% declared family as the reasons for the prevalence of addiction. Other reasons of the adole-scents were being relieved of problems and being carefree, feeling superior and powerful, compensat- ing for social restrictions, unemployment and lack of recreations, oppositional tendencies, and curiosity. Results: Considering adolescents as builders of the future and also pervasiveness of addiction problem, attaining information is indispensable regarding the perspectives of this vulnerable group vis-à-vis the relation between the concept of health with  addiction. This can be useful in cultural, health, and social program planning as well as need and priority assessments. LA eng UL http://ijpcp.iums.ac.ir/article-1-98-en.html M3 ER -