Which of the following best describes recent trends in adolescent use of alcohol according to research on stress and coping in youth?

• A. A shift from alcohol use to increased use of prescription drugs
• B. No change in alcohol use patterns among adolescents
• C. A general decline in alcohol use among adolescents
• D. A significant increase in alcohol use among adolescents

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the question, which focuses on recent trends in adolescent alcohol use within the framework of stress and coping research in youth psychology.
2. Step 2: Recall that research on adolescent behavior often tracks substance use patterns over time to identify changes and their psychological implications.
3. Step 3: Recognize that recent studies have generally reported a decline in alcohol use among adolescents, which is linked to various factors including increased awareness, prevention programs, and shifts in social norms.
4. Step 4: Compare the given options with this knowledge: a shift to prescription drugs use is a different trend, no change is inconsistent with data, and a significant increase contradicts the observed decline.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of recent trends is 'a general decline in alcohol use among adolescents,' reflecting current research findings in adolescent stress and coping.