Psychosocial Health Promotion-Related Needs in Adolescent Girls With Substance Abuse: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent girls involved in drug use are highly vulnerable to health and social welfare-related threats. Providing effective interventions and formulating specific health and social welfare policies require a comprehensive examination of the needs and problems of this group in different dimensions. Objective: The present study aimed to identify psychosocial health promotion-related needs of adolescent Iranian girls with substance abuse. Methodology: The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and with conventional content analysis methodology. The participants consisted of 26 adolescents with history of substance use, health professionals (i.e., psychologists and psychiatrists), and officials affiliated with social welfare organizations, and NGO organizations support socially vulnerable children and adolescents, as well as the families of teenage girls. Data were collected using semistructured qualitative interviews and then coded after transcribing using MAX QDA software. Results: The identified psychosocial health promotion needs were placed in 12 subcategories and three main categories, including detection and repair of the boundaries of adolescent vulnerability, psychosocial development of the family, and promoting social accountability in the delivery of social services. Conclusion: Programs and services to promote psychosocial health in girls involved in drug use should include the dimensions of the individual and the family, as well as the departments that provide the services; so that while identifying and repairing people's injuries and facilitating the optimal functioning of families, it can provide them with the necessary and appropriate services at the right time.