Q. School is starting soon, and I’m worried about my 13 year-old son. He’s not interested in studying or doing homework. He takes medication for ADHD, and at least that helps him get to school. I want him to get a good education and to have a good career. At the rate he’s going, he’ll be lucky to be flipping burgers. What can I do to instill some motivation in an unmotivated boy?
A. Your son needs to be shown the importance of education. Many children want to be doctors or lawyers, but do not understand the connection between their schooling and achieving such career goals.
As a parent, you need to partner with your child in his learning process. Set aside a regular time to help him organize his assignments and assist as needed with his homework. Ask questions about the material he is studying and encourage him to express his thoughts and opinions. If you have knowledge or experience relating to a topic, share these with him. This will personalize his relationship to the material and make it more interesting. If you do not have knowledge about a topic he is studying, help him with his research. It is likely that your son will not only come to value your help and insights, but will value the time you spend together.
As a parent, you should get involved in the school at some level. If your schedule permits, volunteer in the classroom, the learning center, or at special events. Never miss a parent-teacher conference and listen to the advice of his teachers.
If your son is not involved in school activities, it is important for him to find some interests that make him feel part of a group. Most research concludes that children who are involved in extra-curricular activities show an improvement in their academic performance. Rewards are also important. If he does well in a soccer game, in a play, or on his math test, praise him and let him know that you are a proud parent.
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Q. My mother was schizophrenic. I am 45, and I just learned from my daughter’s psychology book that schizophrenia is genetic. My doctor told me not to worry, but I am concerned. What are my chances of inheriting it and what is the cause of the disorder?
A. Since schizophrenia is usually diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood, it is highly unlikely you will develop it in mid-life. Experts now believe that there is a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia, but there are many factors that are still unknown about the disease. While schizophrenia occurs in about 1 percent of the general population, it occurs in 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or sister) with the disorder. Recent findings indicate that there is no one gene responsible for schizophrenia, but there could be many genes that cause disruptions in brain development leading to the condition.
Research has shown that there are other possible contributing factors to the development of schizophrenia including prenatal exposure to the influenza virus, low-birth weight, and even the age of the father. A child who is conceived when the father is older than 45 is at a higher risk for schizophrenia possibly because of the increased likelihood of genetic mutations.
Remember that individual people have individual degrees of vulnerability to any condition. Psychological issues such as living in a high-stress family atmosphere, having inadequate coping skills, or living in an unhealthy environment may exacerbate schizophrenia. Alternatively, someone who has emotional resilience may never succumb to the disorder despite a genetic predisposition.
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Nancy Ryburn holds a doctorate degree in psychology. She teaches psychology at Southeast Arkansas College and maintains a limited private practice in Pine Bluff. If you have questions pertaining to mental health, e-mail them to drnryburn@gmail.com. The questions will not be answered personally, but could appear in a future column. There will be no identifying information and all e-mails remain confidential.