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WD Abel

Family Structure, Parental Monitoring and Marijuana Use among Adolescents in Jamaica: Findings from Nationally Representative Data

Issue: 
Vol 66, Issue 5: 2017 (Special Issue on Cannabis)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.212
Pages: 
536-45
Synopsis: 
This study analysed the role of the family as a determinant of marijuana use among the Jamaican secondary school population. Results demonstrated that parental involvement carried more weight in influencing marijuana use than family structure and gender which showed no significant difference.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Marijuana misuse by adolescents is a social and public mental health problem in Jamaica and globally. Research has suggested that family structure is one of the factors that influences adolescents’ consumption of marijuana. This study was undertaken to determine if family structure and parental monitoring had any association with marijuana use among adolescents in Jamaica.

Received: 
06 Oct, 2017
Accepted: 
23 Oct, 2017
Published: 
29 Dec, 2017
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon wimj-iss5-2017_536_545.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Adolescents
family structure
Jamaica
marijuana use
parental monitoring
youth
Journal Authors: 
DC Oshi
WD Abel
T Ricketts-Roomes
CF Agu
SN Oshi
J Harrison
K Smith
U Atkinson
P Clarke
P Whitehorne-Smith
KN Ukwaja
e-Published: 30 Nov, 2017

Cannabis Use among Secondary School Students in Jamaica: Factors Associated with Age of Initiation

Issue: 
Vol 66, Issue 5: 2017 (Special Issue on Cannabis)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.214
Pages: 
546-52
Synopsis: 
The aim of the study was to determine whether perception of risk and accessibility of cannabis predicted the age of initiation of cannabis among secondary school students in Jamaica. Whereas there was a significant inverse association between grade level in school and age of initiation, perceptions of access did not predict the age of initiation of cannabis.

ABSTRACT

Received: 
06 Oct, 2017
Accepted: 
23 Oct, 2017
Published: 
29 Dec, 2017
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon wimj-iss5-2017_546_552.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Accessibility to cannabis
Age of initiation
Cannabis
cannabis use
Jamaica
risk perception
Journal Authors: 
T Bernard
WD Abel
P Whitehorne-Smith
G Mitchell
E Thompson
K Lalwani
C Sewell
DC Oshi
e-Published: 26 Oct, 2017

Associations between Cannabis Use and Multiple Substance Use among High School Students in Jamaica

Issue: 
Vol 66, Issue 5: 2017 (Special Issue on Cannabis)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.213
Pages: 
529-35
Synopsis: 
Based on the data analysed from the National Secondary School Survey 2013, Jamaica, lifetime cannabis use was significantly associated with multiple substance use and was shown to be a risk factor for lifetime use of cigarettes and alcohol. However, adolescents who reported recent (past-month) use of cannabis were less likely to report recent use of alcohol and cigarettes.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, inhalants and cocaine are the most commonly used substances among high school students in Jamaica. However, there is limited evidence on their co-use and whether the use of one drug predicts the use of the others (multiple substance use). This study aimed to determine whether cannabis use predicts the co-use of the other substances.

Received: 
06 Oct, 2017
Accepted: 
23 Oct, 2017
Published: 
29 Dec, 2017
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon wimj-iss5-2017_529_535.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Associations
cannabis use
Drug Use
high school students
Journal Authors: 
DC Oshi
WD Abel
T Ricketts-Roomes
CF Agu
SN Oshi
J Harrison
K Smith
U Atkinson
P Clarke
A Bailey
P Whitehorne-Smith
e-Published: 26 Oct, 2017

Does Ganja Cause Mental Illness? Perspectives from a Population-based Assessment of Mental Health Literacy in Jamaica

Issue: 
Vol 66, Issue 5: 2017 (Special Issue on Cannabis)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.209
Pages: 
553-61
Synopsis: 
This study investigated and evaluated the mental health comprehension of a randomly selected population in Jamaica. General perceptions were significantly correlated with level of education and age, while perceptions about treatment and prevention significantly correlated with gender and education.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Mental illness is a major cause of morbidity and, globally, has a high lifetime risk. Mental health literacy is known to improve symptom recognition, care-seeking and treatment outcomes. This study therefore sought to assess the knowledge and beliefs of Jamaicans regarding the definition, aetiology, symptomatology, treatment and prevention of mental illness.

Received: 
05 Oct, 2017
Accepted: 
23 Oct, 2017
Published: 
29 Dec, 2017
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon wimj-iss5-2017_553_561.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
mental health
mental health disorder
mental health literacy
mental illness
Journal Authors: 
WD Abel
S Longman-Mills
J Martin
DC Oshi
P Whitehorne-Smith
e-Published: 26 Oct, 2017

Perceived Susceptibility to Mental Disorders among Marijuana Smokers Attending a Tertiary Institution

Issue: 
Vol 66, Issue 5: 2017 (Special Issue on Cannabis)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2017.193
Pages: 
562-8
Synopsis: 
This was an exploratory qualitative study that investigated the degree to which marijuana smokers at a tertiary institution perceived their susceptibility to mental illness. Risk perception was found to be low, as the drug’s benefits seemingly outweighed its risks.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This exploratory qualitative study sought to investigate the question of ‘how do marijuana smokers at a tertiary institution perceive their susceptibility to mental illness?’.

Received: 
18 Sep, 2017
Accepted: 
23 Oct, 2017
Published: 
29 Dec, 2017
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon wimj-iss5-2017_562_568.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Marijuana smokers
mental disorders
perceived susceptibility
Journal Authors: 
N Albarus
P Whitehorne-Smith
WD Abel
e-Published: 26 Oct, 2017

Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: An Integrative Collaborative Primary Care Model – The Jamaican Experience

Issue: 
Vol 60, Issue 4 (2011) - Special Issue on WIMJ 60th Anniversary, 1951-2011
Pages: 
483–9
Synopsis: 
Despite limited resources, Jamaica has successfully integrated mental health into primary care.
 
ABSTRACT
 
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon dr_abel.qxd_.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Jamaica
mental health
Integration primary care
Journal Authors: 
WD Abel
M Richards-Henry
EG Wright
D Eldemire-Shearer
e-Published: 03 Feb, 2014

Decriminalization of Marijuana: Is this a realistic public mental health policy for Jamaica?

Issue: 
Vol 60, Issue 3 (2011)
Pages: 
367–70

ABSTRACT

Marijuana has potential benefits and adverse effects. Despite its popularity in Jamaica, decriminalization may not be possible given the international and regional obligations of Jamaica.

PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon dr_wd_abel.qxd_.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Viewpoint
Keywords: 
Jamaica
Marijuana
Decriminalization
Journal Authors: 
WD Abel
C Sewell
D Eldemire-Shearer
e-Published: 31 Jan, 2014

Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Elderly Persons from Two Communities in Kingston, Jamaica

Issue: 
Vol 62, Issue 7: Sept (2013)
DOI: 
10.7727/wimj.2012.273
Pages: 
615–9
Synopsis: 
In this study of 200 elderly persons aged 60 years and over, predictors of depression were older age, female gender, low socio-economic status and low level of cognitive function.
ABSTRACT
 
Objective: To explore possible associations of age, gender, socio-economic status, educational level and level of cognitive functioning with depressive symptoms in a community sample of elderly persons.
 
Received: 
08 Oct, 2012
Accepted: 
27 Feb, 2013
PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon dr_rc_gibson_wimj.september.qxd_.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Jamaica
elderly
Depression
Caribbean region
Journal Authors: 
RC Gibson
SM Neita
WD Abel
K James
D Eldemire-Shearer
e-Published: 22 Jan, 2014

Suicide Attempt by Self-poisoning: Characteristics of Suicide Attempters Seen at the Emergency Room at the University Hospital of the West Indies

Issue: 
Vol 61, Issue 5 (2012) - Special Issue on Mental Health
Pages: 
526–31
Synopsis: 
Of the sample of 127 patients seen for attempted suicide by self-poisoning, 75.6% were females. The age cohort 16–30 years represented the largest number of cases (70.8%).

ABSTRACT

Objective: To document the characteristics of self-poisoning suicide attempters who were brought to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Emergency Room and to outline the type of drug used in the attempt.

PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon dr_j_williams-johnson.qxd_.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Jamaica
self-poisoning
suicide attempt
Journal Authors: 
J Williams-Johnson
E Williams
M Gossell-Williams
CA Sewell
PA Whitehorne-Smith
WD Abel
e-Published: 24 Oct, 2013

Suicide Ideation in Jamaican Youth: Sociodemographic Prevalence, Protective and Risk Factors

Issue: 
Vol 61, Issue 5 (2012) - Special Issue on Mental Health
Pages: 
521–5
Synopsis: 
The prevalence of suicide ideation among Jamaican youth is 9.7%.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and examine the association between suicidal ideation and sociodemographic characteristics, protective and risk factors among Jamaican
youth.

PDF Attachment: 
PDF icon dr_wd_abel_4.qxd_.pdf
Journal Sections: 
Original Articles
Keywords: 
Jamaica
youth
suicide ideation
Journal Authors: 
WD Abel
C Sewell
JS Martin
Y Bailey-Davidson
K Fox
e-Published: 24 Oct, 2013

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West Indian Medical Journal

Faculty of Medical Sciences,
The University of the West Indies,
Mona, Kingston 7
Tel: (876) 927-1214
Fax: (876) 927-1846
wimj@uwimona.edu.jm
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