A Study on Coping Skills and Psychological Well-being Among Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder: Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Drugs and substance abuse have become prevalent among adolescents thereby affecting their psychological well–being. There is a need for mental and behavioral strategies to help them deal with both their internal and external sources of stress. This study aims to evaluate the coping skills of drugs and substance users and to see the effects those drugs and substances are having on the psychological well-being of young Adolescents aged 18 – 27. This study used qualitative research design. This study included young adults who are at the Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) Detox Center, New Life Specialist Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and the Olive Prime Peridot rehabilitation centers in Abuja, Nigeria. The data was collected using the 42-item Psychological Wellbeing scale and the 29-item Coping scale for children and youth. The study found that both the Psychological well–being and the coping skills of Adolescents are relatively moderate. The study found a positive statistically significant correlation between coping skills and Psychological well–being (p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference between educational level, coping skills, and psychological well–being (p < 0.05). The place of residence had a statistically significant relation with psychological well-being (p < 0.05). Helping adolescents who are substance and drug abusers improve their coping skills which means helping them deal with both their internal and external sources of stress will improve their psychological well – being leading to a better recovery and making them more useful again to society.

Keywords

• Substance Use Disorder
• Coping Skills
• Psychological Well-being

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