Aggressive Behaviors and Depression: What are the linked? A Case Study among Drug Abuser

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume II, Issue X, October 2018 | ISSN 2454–6186

Aggressive Behaviors and Depression: What are the linked? A Case Study among Drug Abuser

Syafiq M.S¹, Lukman Z.M.², Nurun Saadah S.³

^1,2,3 Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, 20300 Terengganu Malaysia.

Abstract— Research about depression and aggressive behavior always in hot debate. Among drug abuser, the connection is still controversial. Hence, it is important to study the relationship between depression and aggressive behavior as well as the most contributing factor of aggressive behavior caused by depression. This is a quantitative method in which using a survey to complete the study. Data were collected from 200 drug abusers in east coast prison in Malaysia. As a result, the connection between depression and aggressive behavior was high and the most contributing factor was physical aggression. Hence, it is crucial to the prison to take a proactive action to cure the mental health illness or drug abuser.

Keywords— Aggressive Behavior, Depression, Drug Abuser, Malaysia

I. INTRODUCTION

Drug abuse in Malaysia has had an incremental history in spite of desperate measures by the government to prevent such things from happening. From draconian measures of punishment such as the mandatory death sentencing of drug dealers to compassionate care of addicts by the community at large; stemming the tide of addiction has been an uncontrollable phenomenon for all those involved. What’s even more worrying is that drug abuse among the younger generation in Malaysia is becoming a grave concern with even children as young as 7 years old getting hooked1,2. The ubiquity and pervasiveness of drugs have been due to the small time drug dealers who operate in the private spaces of the young due to having access to easier means of communication such as the ability to be online and connected through mobile and computing devices. Hence, it is not only the small-time crook that is to be blamed for the ever-rising tide of addiction in this country but the nation as a whole; is responsible to play a significant role in remedying the harm of drug addiction in Malaysia.

Read More