This is an outstanding discussion post, Michelle. Essentially, there are various psychosocial factors that have significant influence on health and disease. The identified factors including smoking among adolescents and alcohol abuse have become serious public health issues around the world. According to Golechha (2016), smoking has become an epidemic that causes massive deaths, disability, and diseases. Usually, smoking and alcohol abuse are attributed to psychological factors and health promotion is crucial in the effort to minimize the growing load of chronic diseases globally due to smoking and alcohol abuse. Several strategies can be employed by nurses and other health care providers to address these psychosocial factors. One of the strategies is provision of comprehensive awareness to the targeted population through health promotion strategies (Golechha, 2016). This strategy involves provision of public education to prevent both initiation of smoking and alcohol abuse and encourage smoking and drinking cessation. More health promotion efforts regarding the adverse health effects of alcohol abuse and smoking may lead to increased levels of understanding of the dangers of smoking and alcohol abuse. In turn, this understanding could increase intentions to quit and subsequent quitting among the victims (Thompson, 2018).
Golechha, M. (2016). Health promotion methods for smoking prevention and cessation: a comprehensive review of effectiveness and the way forward. International journal of preventive medicine, 7. doi: 10.4103/2008-7802.173797
Thompson, R. H. (2018). The handbook of child life: A guide for pediatric psychosocial care. Charles C Thomas Publisher.