Relationship Between Attachment Styles and Risk for Problematic Drug Use Among Undergraduate Students in Selected Universities in Kenya
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Date
2020-01
Authors
Owuor, Hellen Atieno
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
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.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) of Kenyatta University, January, 2020.
Keywords
Problematic Drug, Undergraduate Students, Universities in Kenya