High use of over-the-counter analgesic; possible warnings of reduced quality of life in adolescents - a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundUse of over-the-counter analgesics among adolescents has increased markedly. High consumption of over-the-counter analgesics among adolescents is associated with frequent pain, lower self-esteem, reduced sleep, lower educational ambition, binge drinking, higher caffeine consumption, and part-time employment. Knowledge about life experiences of adolescents who frequently use over-the-counter analgesics may be useful to prevent health problems. The purpose of the study was to increase knowledge about adolescents who suffer from frequent pain and have a high consumption of over-the-counter analgesics.MethodsA qualitative study, employing one-on-one, in-depth interviews using a thematic interview guide. Data were collected in Norway in 2013–2014. Three boys and sixteen girls; aged 14–16 years, who continuously consumed over-the-counter analgesics were recruited from ten high schools in urban and suburban districts. Candidate participants were excluded if they were medically diagnosed with an acute or chronic illness, requiring extended use of over-the-counter analgesics within the last year. The interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed as text according to Kvale’s three contexts of interpretation: self-understanding, common sense and theory.ResultsAll participants disclosed unresolved physical and psychosocial distress characterized as pain. Frequent pain from various body parts made everyday life challenging. Methods of pain self-appraisal and over-the-counter analgesics use often mimicked maternal patterns. Participants reported being raised under unpredictable circumstances that contributed to long lasting family conflicts and peer-group problems. Participants wanted to feel appreciated and to be socially and academically successful. However, pain reduced their ability to manage everyday life, hampered experienced possibilities for success, and made social settings difficult.ConclusionsChildhood experiences influence how adolescents experience pain and use over-the-counter analgesics. Coping with difficult situations or attempting to mask symptoms with over-the-counter analgesics can perpetuate and amplify underlying problems. High consumption of over-the-counter analgesics and frequent pain may be warning signs of adolescents with possible health threatening conditions and reduced quality of life. These adolescent might be in need of support from school nurses and General Practitioners. This study identifies new perspectives that may lead to novel approaches to identify, guide, and support adolescents with frequent pain and high consumption of over-the-counter analgesics.

How do parents influence their adolescents’ use of over‐the‐counter analgesics: A review of the current literature

“…Neither Skarstein et al () nor Albatti et al () found gender or social differences regarding use of OTCAs. This was surprising when pain is found to be more common among girls (Haraldstad et al, ).…”

“…(Holmström et al, ) She also notes that mothers are usually the one who commit to resolve their youths pain problems. Further mothers were most likely to recommend the use of OTCAs (Skarstein et al, ). In line with Chambers, Reid, McGrath, and Finley (), Skarstein also found that the adolescents became more independent in their use of OTCAs with increasing age (Chambers et al, ; Skarstein et al, ).…”

Attitudes Toward and Use of Over-The-Counter Medications among Teenagers: Evidence from an Italian Study

“…3; medicines with them, while others reported that they did not need information because they knew the medicines well, from their prior use. This familiarity also seems connected to the frequency of minor ailments: it should be investigated if this attitude toward the use of OTC drugs is due to the pain (Lagerløv, Rosvold, Holager, & Helseth, 2016;Skarstein et al, 2016) or to the perceived safety of these drugs. Indeed, given the familiarity with the OTC medicines, the teenagers seem to underestimate the risks related to misuse.…”

“…Teenagers consider significant the feeling of being appreciated by their peers (Skarstein et al, 2016): having positive relationships with friends contributes to their self-esteem and social position. With reference to health-related information-seeking and decision-making behaviors, it was observed that, for instance, girls ask each other for advice about effective relief of dysmenorrhea (Skarstein et al, 2016). Therefore, friends, too, can contribute to teenagers' health behavior and their influence is investigated in this study.…”

“…Research points out that a family's methods of managing pain and illnesses are evident in teenagers' OTC use (Skarstein, Lagerløv, Kvarme, & Helseth, 2016), with particular reference to maternal behavior (Jensen et al, 2014).…”