title: Early childhood experiences, parenting and the process of drug dependency among young people in Tehran, Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Substance abuse has become a major public health problem in Iran. The process of developing an addiction is complex and multifaceted. Early childhood experiences are thought to be one of the important determinants of addictive behaviour. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the early childhood experiences, especially the experiences within the immediate family, of current substance-using young adults in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is qualitative in nature. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 young men and women who were either in treatment for their addiction or were active drug users at the time of the interviews. Moreover, four interviews have been conducted with family members of participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the participants experienced traumatic events during childhood and came from dysfunctional families. There appears to be a significant disconnect between these individuals and their families. An obedience-instilling parenting style and parents' knowledge and attitude toward drug using and prevention were also identified as important determinants of substance use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this research point out the need for early interventions for at-risk families as well as at-risk individuals.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Jila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mirlashari
authors.forename: Apo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demirkol
authors.forename: Mahvash
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salsali
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rafiey
authors.forename: Jahanfar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jahanbani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy