Relationship between Family Flexibility and Substance Use Disorders among the Youth in Selected Rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County, Kenya
- August 30, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Psychology, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Alice Wangui Gikandi, Joyzy Pius Egunjobi (PhD), Joel Kiambi Muriithi (PhD)
Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Abstract: This study investigated family dynamics and substance use disorders among the youth in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the family structure theory. The research design was mixed method embedded research design. Using Yamane (1967) formula, a sample of 172 clients was obtained and selected randomly to take part in quantitative study. Another 12 clients who had stayed in rehabilitation centers for the longest time were purposively selected in order to provide qualitative data. Similarly, 10 parents were conveniently selected in order to provide qualitative data. Therefore the total sample size comprised of 196 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10 questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interview guides. Cronbach Alpha technique was run to test the reliability of FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10. FACES-IV scale was found to have a reliability coefficient of .723, AUDIT-10 had reliability of .861while DAST-10 scale had a reliability coefficient of .812. Quantitative Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically backed by narratives from respondents. The study had the following findings: Most families recorded unhealthy flexibility with majority of respondents coming from families which had chaotic family flexibility (Mean= 24. 4015; SD= 10.001) followed by Rigid flexibility (Mean= 17.4167; SD= 5.1244), there was a weak negative and significant correlation between balanced family flexibility and drug use disorder (r=-0.299; P= 0.001).
I. BACKGROUND
The problem of substance use disorders among young people has been on the rise globally and locally. This problem has been of great concern worldwide and different countries are using different means to address this vice. Chesang (2015) defined substance use disorders as a mental condition which results from the use of one or more substances that could lead to clinical impairment or distress. Globally, there are estimated 271 million people who abuse substances (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, 2019). Out of these 271 million people, 13 percent suffer from Substance use disorders (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, 2019). World Health Organization (WHO), 2019) report on substance use disorders added that about 5.3 percent of all the deaths globally in 2018 were due to substance use disorders.
Another report on substance use disorders among the youths by World Drug Report (2018) said that some 200 million people, or 5% of the world’s population aged 15-64, had used drugs at least once in the last 12 months. This is 15
