JOURNAL OF AWARENESS

Retrospective evaluation of tobacco, alcohol, and substance use among juveniles in conflict with the law who applied to the forensic medicine department of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine in 2023

Elif Ebrar Kızıler — 2024-12-18

This study aims to evaluate the tobacco, alcohol, and substance use of juveniles in conflict with the law who applied to the Forensic Medicine Department of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine to obtain a forensic evaluation report. In the study, 50 cases for which a report was prepared under Article 31/2 of the Turkish Penal Code at the Forensic Medicine Department of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine (DUTF) in 2023 were retrospectively examined from a forensic medical perspective. Of the juveniles brought in for forensic evaluation, 94% were male. The most common crime committed by the juveniles was propaganda for a terrorist organization, followed by robbery and then sexual offenses. It was found that 54% of the juveniles in conflict with the law had dropped out of primary, secondary, or high school before completing their education. According to the examination by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20% of the juveniles were diagnosed with ADHD, 78% had no psychopathology, and 98% had normal intelligence levels. It was determined that 60% of the juveniles in conflict with the law had a history of smoking, 12% had a history of alcohol use, and 8% had a history of substance use. Among those with a history of substance abuse, all had a history of smoking, and 75% had a history of alcohol use. The average age of those with a history of substance use was found to be 14, and cannabis was the most commonly used substance. Additionally, half of the juveniles with a history of substance use had not completed their education.

Examining the relationship between addiction and jealousy in romantic relationships: An evaluation in terms of behavioral jealousy

Şahide Güliz Kolburan — 2024-12-18

Addiction in romantic relationships, which is a chronic problem that harms oneself, one’s partner, and the relationship, refers to the partner’s desire for excessive closeness determined by the intense need for the other. It is known that such dependent relationships are related to jealousy, as there are factors such as lack of selfconfidence, low self-esteem and internal insecurity. The aim of this study is to examine the cognitive, emotional and behavioral dimensions of addiction and jealousy in relationships. It was aimed to evaluate the behavioral dimension of jealousy in terms of partner violence. The study was started after receiving ethics committee approval numbered 2024/03 dated 07.03.2024 from Istanbul Aydın University Social and Humanities Ethics Commission. It was conducted with 334 female and 183 male volunteer participants reached by convenience sampling. The measurement tools used in the study are the Sociodemographic Data Form, the Addiction in Romantic Relationships Scale and the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale. Pearson Correlation analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Independent Groups T Test were performed using SPSS 27.0.1.0 Edition (31-Dec-2037). In line with the study findings, it was determined that addiction in romantic relationships was associated with all dimensions of jealousy, but with behavioral jealousy at the highest level. The results of the study reveal that perceptions of inadequacy of personal resources, such as insufficient education and economic level, can increase the feeling of jealousy. However, it appears that increased addiction indicators such as obsession and dedication towards the partner are determined by the behavioral aspect of jealousy. Therefore, the study results indicate that in order to protect both partners in a romantic relationship, it may be useful to focus on what they do with this feeling rather than their feelings of jealousy. Based on this, it can be stated that strengthening individual resources should be preferred to direct interventions against the feeling of jealousy.

Stalking: A study on lawyers registered with the Istanbul Bar Association

Esra Gürgezoğlu Yapar — 2024-12-18

This study is one of the rare studies conducted on the stalking experiences of lawyers. When we examine the literature on stalking, it is observed that the majority of victims are women, and stalking is predominantly carried out by ex-spouses/partners or current spouses/partners. However, studies conducted on certain professionals have identified that some individuals are subjected to stalking due to their professional roles. In this context, the purpose of this study is to profile the stalking experiences of lawyers registered with the Istanbul Bar Association in Türkiye, discuss the risk factors, and shed light on future research. For data collection, a 23-question survey was created using Google Forms. The survey was distributed to 75 lawyers registered with the Istanbul Bar Association. It was found that 57.7% of the participating lawyers had been subjected to stalking, while 42.3% had not. The stalkers were identified as individuals the lawyers had met at some point in their lives (27.3%), ex-spouses/ex-lovers/ex-partners (18.2%), their own clients (15.2%), and opposing clients (9.1%). Stalking was mostly carried out through repeated phone calls/messages (69.7%) and via digital means on social media/the internet (66.7%). It was noted that 90.9% of the lawyers who had been subjected to stalking did not report it to legal authorities or file a complaint. In conclusion, although there are limitations in generalizing our findings beyond the current sample, it is evident that lawyers can also be victims of stalking, and there is a high incidence of such stalking being perpetrated by either opposing clients or their own clients. Furthermore, the most striking finding of the research is that the vast majority of victimized lawyers choose not to report the crime to official authorities due to their lack of confidence in the legal process related to stalking.

The effect of the violence against children and ıts prevention course on university students’ awareness of domestic violence and their sensitivity to violence against children

Nevin Uslu — 2024-12-18

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the "Violence Against Children and Its Prevention" course on university students' awareness of domestic violence and their sensitivity to violence against children.

Material and Method: The study was conducted during the 2021-2022 academic year at a state university located in the Mediterranean region. One hundred students who enrolled in the elective course "Violence Against Children and Its Prevention" participated in the study, with 81 students completing it. Data were collected using the Student Identification Form, the Domestic Violence Awareness Scale (DVAS), and the Sensitivity to Violence Against Children Scale (SVACS) through a Google survey. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk, Man-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests were used for data analysis. Ethical approval was obtained before the study.

Results: The average age of the students was 21.1±2.2 years, with 23.5% male and 90.1% second-year undergraduate students. DVAS scores showed statistically significant differences based on gender and family type before the course, but these differences disappeared afterward. SVACS scores showed differences based on gender, class level, and parental education level before the course, but only gender and father's education level differences persisted after the course. DVAS scores significantly increased after the course (p<0.05), whereas SVACS scores did not show statistically significant changes (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Future randomized controlled studies are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of different educational programs aimed at increasing sensitivity to violence against children.

Success or failure? Vancouver’s response to the overdose crisis

Nil Polat — 2024-12-18

Addiction is a significant public health issue in Canada, with far-reaching impacts on individuals, families, and communities. In Vancouver, fentanyl addiction stands out as one of the most common and pressing challenges. Fentanyl, an opioid notorious by its street name "down," presents grave risks to users. Motivational interviewing therapy emerges as a widely employed approach for addiction treatment, fostering a client-centered relationship conducive to addressing individualized needs effectively. However, the success of motivational therapy hinges on the readiness of clients for change. This study aims to delineate the scope of addiction issues in Vancouver, Canada, particularly concerning fentanyl addiction. The study aims to highlight the undeniable effects of the fentanyl crisis in Vancouver and the approaches frontline workers need to take by examining field studies in the literature and conducting an interview with a frontline worker in addiction services. By exploring the effects of motivational interviewing therapy, the study seeks to. elucidate its benefits and limitations in mitigating the acute physical and emotional distress associated with fentanyl use. Drawing insights from frontline experiences, there is a need for practical guidance on further enhancing addiction treatment approaches, with a focus on improving therapeutic efficacy and responsiveness to the evolving needs of individuals affected by fentanyl addiction. The prevailing system often assesses individuals primarily through a productivity lens, neglecting their inherent humanity. Therefore, a shift towards a more holistic, long-term approach is imperative to address the root causes of addiction effectively.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or early electronic screen exposure – 67 month-old case study

Mahi Aslan — 2024-12-18

Concerns about screen addiction have become increasingly prevalent, particularly with regard to its potential impact on children's development. This study examines the possible connection between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms and early exposure to electronic screens. It focuses on a case involving a 67-month-old child who was heavily exposed to screens during the COVID-19 lockdown. The child spent an average of 5 hours per day in front of screens, which included television and mobile devices. Observations indicated delays in language development, poor social skills, and an anxious emotional state. The family initially associated these symptoms with ASD and sought professional consultation. However, it was observed that the child exhibited behaviors such as restlessness, avoidance of social interaction, and a preference for screen time over fulfilling basic needs, such as eating. These behaviors were particularly evident when the child was not engaged with digital devices, manifesting in sadness, frustration, and anger.

The case highlights how early and excessive screen exposure can lead to developmental and psychological challenges that mimic ASD-like behaviors. Excessive screen time in children has been associated with attention disorders, sleep disturbances, language delays, and emotional instability. In this case, the family did not impose restrictions on screen usage during the lockdown period, which contributed to the child’s increased demand for digital media. The therapeutic intervention focused on reducing screen time and encouraging non-digital activities, including outdoor play and social interactions with peers. As a result, improvements were noted in the child’s anxiety, social engagement, and language development.

In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of distinguishing between ASD and the effects of excessive screen exposure, as the symptoms of both conditions can overlap. Reducing screen time and promoting parent-child interactions are essential in mitigating these developmental issues.

An analysis of media news on electronic cigarettes, the popular addiction of recent years

Berna Eren — 2024-12-18

Objective: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which are promoted as tobacco-free cigarettes, is becoming increasingly widespread due to the perception that they are safer and more economical than regular cigarettes, that they reduce the desire to smoke or make it easier to quit smoking. E-cigarettes target especially children and young people through both traditional print and visual media as well as social media. The aim of this study is to analyze the media news on e-cigarettes in Türkiye in the last five years.

Material-Method: The web pages of major news agencies in Türkiye are scanned using the keywords 'electronic cigarette', 'e-cigarette', 'electronic cigarette addiction', 'e-cigarette addiction'. The news article published between 2019 and 2024 are evaluated according to years, agencies, topics and content. For descriptive statistics, frequency (n) and percentage (%) representation is used.

Findings: In the period between 2019 and 2024, 131 original news articles published in the news agencies were identified. A total of 31.0% of the news articles were published in 2023 and 35.9% were under health and life topics. While the rate of news reflecting expert opinions on the health risks and harmful effects of e-cigarettes is 48.1%, 33.6% of the news is about the efforts of law enforcement forces to combat e-cigarette smuggling.

Conclusion: Studies have shown that when individuals have limited knowledge and experience or are uncertain about e-cigarettes, they are more susceptible to the content in the media. Regular exposure to this content may normalize perceptions about e-cigarette use, while some news content may be misleading. In this respect, it is thought that the news in the media containing accurate and complete information will enable the society to be informed and aware about e-cigarettes and will positively influence public support for public health policies and legislation.

Case analysis of the effects of digital violence on children in Turkish Penal Law perspective

Dilan Orak — 2024-12-18

Today's technological developments make children vulnerable to the threats of the virtual world. In recent years, it is noteworthy that there have been reports in the media that violent digital games have led children to crime. For this reason, the study aims to examine the cases that have occurred in the last year by addressing the issue of digital games dragging children to crime and suicide. In the study, first of all, keywords were determined by literature review. Accordingly, the word groups "digital game", "computer game", "game addiction" and "juvenile pushed to crime " were determined. With the determined keywords, "Google News" was filtered through the search engine between 01.05.2023 – 01.05.2024 and the news was scanned. A total of 368 news reports were examined and 3 cases were identified. The first case was when a 12-year-old boy committed the crime of intentional knife killing of another 13-year-old boy as a result of a task given from a computer game. The second case involved a 12-year-old boy committing suicide with a firearm on the grounds that he was not allowed by his family to play a violent video game called ‘PUBG’. The third case is a 14-year-old boy who committed suicide with a firearm after playing a game called ‘Blue Whale’. The analysis of the cases were transferred to a table. According to the data of the TURKSTAT in 2021, 54.3% of children in the 6-15 age group who stated that they play digital games regularly stated that they play war games. In the literature, there are almost no legal studies on digital games leading children to suicide and crime. Although there is no official data, findings from literature and news reports suggest that possible associations between violent digital games and children's violent behavior towards themselves and their peers should be investigated.

Attitudes of healthcare professionals toward individuals with substance use disorders

Tugba Duvar — 2024-12-18

Introduction and Objectives: This research project aims to gain insight into the attitudes of health professionals towards individuals with substance use disorders, and to examine the impact of these attitudes on various aspects of healthcare, including treatment processes, the physician-patient relationship, and social interactions.

Materials and Methods: The scientific research on the awareness of health personnel towards substance addicts included medical professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and medical secretaries, as well as other similar health personnel. A total of 69 health personnel participated in the research. The questionnaire comprised demographic questions, questions about their professional behaviours and their thoughts about substance addicts in their social lives.

Findings: The many of participants (73.9%) were doctors, while a smaller proportion were pharmacists (5.8%), nurses (5.8%), pharmacist journeymen (5.8%), medical secretaries (4.3%), and individuals from other occupational groups (4.3%). A total of 27.9% of the participants were between the ages of 35 and 44, while 25% were between the ages of 45 and 54. Three individuals reported encountering substance addicts on a daily basis within the workplace. Seven individuals indicated that they had been subjected to violence by individuals with substance use disorders. Twenty health care personnel reported that they had been forced to procure drugs illegally. Among those who were subjected to violence, 10.1% experienced verbal violence, while 6% experienced physical violence. Additionally, 42% of respondents perceived the applicability of preventive measures against substance addiction in society to be low.

Conclusion: Substance addiction can be defined as a life-threatening condition that needs to be treated. Increasing the level of education and awareness of health personnel in substance addiction should be considered to have a positive effect on the addicts who receive and want to receive treatment.

Deferment of the filing of a public lawsuit and the treatment measure in the context of using narcotic or stimulant substances

Muhammet İsmet Yavuz — 2024-12-18

In this study, the institution of postponement of public prosecution and the treatment measure envisaged in terms of the crime regulated in Article 191/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) No. 5237 will be addressed in the context of the "use" alternative action of the crime. According to Article 191/2 of the TPC, at the end of the investigation carried out in terms of the crime regulated in Article 191/1 of the TPC, a decision will be made to postpone the public prosecution for five years without seeking the conditions in Article 171 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) No. 5271 regarding the suspect, and the public prosecutor does not have the discretion to make a decision not to issue this decision. In this respect, Article 191/2 of the TPC comes to the fore as an exception to the institution of postponement of public prosecution regulated in Article 171 of the CPC. In terms of investigations carried out pursuant to Article 191/6 of the TPC, such a decision cannot be made. According to Article 191/4 of the TPC, if the suspect insists on not complying with the obligations imposed on him or the requirements of the treatment applied during the postponement period, if he purchases, accepts, possesses, or uses drugs or stimulants again, an indictment will be issued and a public prosecution will be initiated. With the provision of Article 191/2 of the TPC, the suspect is given the opportunity to benefit from the possibility of treatment and to get rid of being a substance addict without waiting for the prosecution phase. The treatment measure can only be applied to a suspect who has reached sufficient suspicion of using substances. Other probation measures will be applied to a suspect who does not need treatment. If necessary, it is also possible to apply the treatment measure together with other probation measures. How the treatment measure will be implemented is regulated in Article 71 of the Probation Services Regulation. Accordingly, it is possible for the treatment to be carried out on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Pursuant to Article 191/3 of the TPC, a suspect in need of treatment during the postponement period will undergo treatment for a minimum of one year, and this period can be extended for a maximum of two more years in six-month periods.

The impact of sexual abuse on addiction: A case study on food addiction

Alim Cansız — 2024-12-18

Addiction, which is one of the major problems of society and is spreading severely day by day, is considered a complex process where an individual develops an uncontrollable desire for a substance or behavior, continues this desire, and has difficulty ending it despite both physical and psychological harm. Food addiction is a type of addiction where individuals consume food not only to meet their physiological needs but also uncontrollably for emotional and psychological satisfaction. Individuals with food addiction tend to eat to cope with emotional states such as stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to unhealthy eating habits and weight problems. In such addictions, the treatment process requires addressing not only the improvement of physical symptoms but also the emotional and psychological factors that trigger the addiction.

Although food addiction usually arises from depression or other psychological disorders, in some cases, individuals may feel the need to eat to feel better after experiencing abuse. This situation can become uncontrollable, leading to food addiction, which negatively affects both the mental and physical health of individuals.

This study is a case study of a 41-year-old woman named S.A., who developed food addiction as a result of sexual abuse by her parent at the age of 13. The gradual progression of the abuse and the subsequent development of food addiction are examined in detail, along with the effects of EMDR and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) on overcoming the food addiction.