Psychological Correlates of Hazardous Drug Use
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the Study
To examine the relationship between self-esteem, depression and substance abuse among school going adolescents.
Objectives of the Study
The research was guided by the following objectives;
- To examine the relationship between self-esteem and depression among Adolescents
- To examine the relationship between self-esteem and substance abuse among Adolescents
- To examine the relationship between depression and substance abuse among Adolescents
Chapter Two
Literature Review
Introduction
This chapter presents a review of the relevant literature on adolescents. It mainly focuses on the relationship between self-esteem and depression; self-esteem and substance abuse; depression and substance abuse. Lastly, this chapter presents the hypotheses that were tested.
Self-esteem and Depression
The concept of self-esteem has solicited a growing body of theoretical and empirical research for many years (Swann & Bosson, 2010; Sowislo & Orth, 2013). Historically conceptualized as a positive or negative global evaluation of the self (Rosenberg, 1979), currently self-esteem is described as an individual’s subjective evaluation of his or her worth as a person (Orth & Robins, 2013; Swann & Bosson, 2010; Sowislo & Orth, 2013),
Depression is a widespread problem and continues to increase in the student population (Arslan, Ayranci, Unsal, & Arslantas, 2009; Chen et al., 2013; Ibrahim, Kelly, Adams & Glazebrook, 2013; Sarokhani et al., 2013). Accordingly, depression is a mood disorder that is diagnosed based on the severity of a collection of symptoms which include an extreme sense of sadness, hopelessness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, feeling of guilt, loss of enthusiasm and loss of weight (National Mental Health Association, 2000; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Certainly, many factors contribute to this surge in the experience of depressive symptoms during adolescence (Hankin 2006) yet the biggest burden of depression and other mental health problems is experienced mostly in low and middle-income countries (Naghavi & Forouzanfar, 2013). To this end, low self-esteem has been suggested to be an important factor that increases vulnerability to depression (Beck 1967; Orth et al. 2016). An impressive amount of research has shown that low self-esteem and depressive symptoms often co-occur among adolescents (e.g., Lee & Hankin, 2009; Sowislo & Orth, 2013).
Further, low self-esteem is related to depression and anxiety disorder (Liu, Wang, Zhou, & Li, 2014; Michalak, Teismann, Heidenreich, Strohle, & Vocks, 2011; Trzesniewski, Donnellan, & Robins, 2003) and prospectively predicts depression (Orth, Robins, & Roberts, 2008; Orth et al., 2009). According to the vulnerability model, low self-esteem operates as a risk factor for depression (Orth & Robins, 2013). Hence, the vulnerability model conceptualizes low self-esteem as a stable personality factor that predisposes the person to experience depression.
Review of the clinical literature on self-esteem suggests that low self-esteem is correlated with depressed mood (Franck & De raedt, 2007), hopelessness, suicidal tendencies, and even suicide attempts (Martin, Richardson, Bergen, Roeger & Allison, 2005) whereas, cross-sectional studies have reported negative, to strong positive correlations between the constructs that is, self- esteem and depression (Lee & Hankin, 2009; Riketta, 2004; Watson, Suls, & Haig, 2002).
Furthermore, low self-esteem and depression have been strongly related (Sowislo & Orth, 2013) and it is a risk factor of depressive disorders (Sowislo, et al., 2014; Evraire & Dozois, 2011; Morley & Moran, 2011; O’Brien, Bartoletti, & Leitzel, 2006; Orth, Robins, & Meier, 2009). Despite the negative effects of low self-esteem among adolescents such as depression and substance abuse, it still remains increasing although there exist treatment programs. There is also a growing recognition of the high cost of treatment and of the inability of existing treatment programs to keep up with increasing demand – given that half of the admissions in the Ugandan National Mental Referral Hospital are young people with alcohol and substance use disorders (Kigozi, Ssebunnya, Kizza, Cooper, Ndyanabangi, 2010).
Chapter Three
Methodology
Introduction
This chapter describes the methods that were utilized while carrying out this study. It entails the research design, the study population, the sample size and sampling technique, research instrument and measures, quality control, research procedure, data management and analysis.
Research Design
A cross-sectional survey design was adopted because it is the most appropriate since data was gathered from a sampled population at a particular time. This is because it is easy to use such a design and it is less time consuming as well as less costly when collecting data (Amin, 2005).
Chapter Four Results
Introduction
This chapter consists of findings in line with the objectives of the study and hypotheses generated after review of relevant literature. The data presented includes both descriptive statistics about the respondents, that is bio data, and inferential statistics.
Chapter Five
Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations
Introduction
This chapter entails the discussion of the results of the study in comparison to findings from former and related studies, conclusions drawn from the study and recommendations suggested according to the findings of the study.
Discussion
Self-esteem and Depression
The first alternative hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between self- esteem and depression. Findings of this study revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between self esteem and depression, therefore the hypothesis stated above is retained. This implies that self-esteem influences depression levels of the individual that is an individual with high self-esteem is likely to experience low depression, whereas one with low level of self- esteem is likely to have high depression levels. Additionally, low self-esteem individuals tend to avoid people by whom they feel their self-esteem might be threatened and oftentimes conceal their inner thoughts and feelings from others. Also, as members of a group, these individuals have the tendency to stay at their fringes and not contribute much to the group discussion. As a consequence, individuals with low self-esteem may lack spontaneity, be shy, and feel lonely and alienated from others which in turn increases the propensity of becoming depressed.
Self-esteem and Substance Abuse
The second alternative hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between self-esteem and substance abuse. Study findings tested by Pearson correlational coefficient(r) revealed that there is no significant relationship between self-esteem and substance abuse, therefore the hypothesis stated above is rejected. It implies that probably increase in having high/low self-esteem does not necessarily increase or decrease the individual`s propensity to abuse drugs.
The findings of this study are in disagreement with Farzad, Abbas, and Saman, (2014), while evaluating the prediction of tendency to substance abuse on the basis of self-esteem and components of emotional intelligence, revealed that there is a negative significant correlation between tendency to substance abuse and self-esteem.
Depression and Substance Abuse
The third alternative hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between depression and substance abuse. Findings of this study revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between depression and substance abuse, therefore the hypothesis stated above is accepted. This implies that depression experienced by the individual influences his/her level of substance abuse. That is, increase in depression level may lead to a reduced argue for excessive consumption of drugs and vice versa
The findings of this study are in agreement with Townsend et al. (2006) who contend that,not only do numerous adolescents suffer from high rates of depression and substance abuse, but these two have been found to co occur. For instance, depression and substance abuse (Poulin et al. 2005) and depression and smoking have been found to co-occur and are main causes of mental and physical illness (Audrain- McGovern, Rodriguez & Kassel 2009).
Conclusion
This study aimed at examining the relationship between self-esteem, depression and substance abuse among school going adolescents. According to inferential statistics, it was found that self-esteem is significantly and negatively related to depression; self-esteem is not significantly related to substance abuse. It was also found that depression is significantly and negatively related to substance abuse. It is on the backdrop of such findings that a better understanding of adolescent stressors and possible protective factors could aid in developing future prevention strategies to decrease the risk of future depression, substance abuse and other poor health outcomes.Thus, this study provides new insights for professional counselors and researchers.
Recommendations
Basing on the study findings the following recommendation have been suggested; to adolescents, psycho-education trainings should be provided to adolescents to equip them with a diversity of life skills such as stress management. This will empower them to improve their self- esteem and will minimize risks of depression.
To parents; Family therapy by professionals like psychologists, social workers and qualified counsellors should be encouraged to help teach parents ways of educating their children about ways of dealing with depression and the negative outcomes of substance abuse which in turn can facilitate control of depression levels as well as substance abuse among school going adolescent.
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