Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Risk for Problematic Drug Use Among Undergraduate Students in Selected Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Although problematic drug use affects the entire spectrum of society and especially young adults in developing countries, it is becoming increasingly evident that university students are at a higher risk of its effects. Problematic drug use among university students presents with adverse consequences to their wellbeing and academic progress. It also has potential to inhibit successful transition to the work force and could predict substance related problems later in life. This kind of use is of great concern to the National government of Kenya because it impacts on socio-economic development by affecting potentially skilled work force and also increases burden on both the healthcare and the criminal-justice systems. Majority of studies and interventions programs carried out in universities in Kenya have focused on problematic drug use behaviour independently of the possible underlying factors. This approach to research limits the understanding of problematic drug use which is multidimensional; encompassing behaviours, attitudes, and motivations. It is essential therefore to examine both manifest behaviours and underlying purposes of those behaviours. This study focused on Attachment styles as an underlying risk factor for problematic drug use. The study’s main objective was to examine the relationship between specific attachment styles and risk for problematic drug use among university students in Kenya. The Self - Medication theory and Attachment theory provided the theoretical context to examine the relationship of the variables and provided a basis for analysis and discussion of the findings. The study employed a correlational research design using self-administered questionnaires to collect information on both attachment style and drug use. The current study’s target population was undergraduate students from public and private universities in Kenya. A mixed method of sampling was used to select the study sample; this included purposive sampling of the counties with the largest number of public and private universities; stratified sampling of the public and private university where the study was carried out and randomly sampling to students to participate in the study. A sample size of 400 was determined using the Yamane’s formula (n = N / (1 + Ne^2). Descriptive analysis was used to summarise the characteristics the study sample while ANOVA, Chi-square and correlation analysis were used to make inferences in the data collected. The results showed statistically significant differences in attachment styles in relation to risk for problematic drug use [F (1.184) =48.47; P<0.001]. Both anxious attachment and avoidant attachment were significantly correlated with risk for problematic drug use (r=0.16, P<0.05 and r=0.37, p<0.005 respectively). The study concluded that one’s attachment style influences their risk for problematic drug use with insecure attachment having a stronger correlation with problematic drug use behaviour. The findings have implications for treatment as well as prevention of problematic drug use. Authority to conduct research as well as ethical clearance was sought from all relevant authorities.