Parental Separation, Self-Esteem and Substance Use Among Early Adolescents in Namungoona Secondary School

PARENTAL SEPARATION, SELF-ESTEEM AND SUBSTANCE USE AMONG EARLY ADOLESCENTS IN NAMUNGOONA SECONDARY SCHOOL

Akello Loise

16/U/3167/PS

Dissertation submitted to the school of psychology in partial fulfilment the

Requirements for the Award of a Bachelor of Community Psychology Degree of

Makerere University

2019

Acknowledgment First of all I would like to thank the almighty God who has enabled me reach this far. Further I would like to thank Ms Nuwagaba Rachael, for her great efforts of supervising and leading me to accomplish this target. Also thanks to my loving family, they were a great source of support and encouragement throughout the three years of my study; I thank them all and wish them all the best in their lives.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration...... i Acknowledgment ...... ii Approval ...... iii List of Table ...... v Abstract ...... vi Chapter One ...... 1 Introduction ...... 1 Back ground ...... 1 Statement of the problem ...... 3 Purpose of the study ...... 4 Objectives ...... 4 Significance of the study ...... 4 Scope of study ...... 4 Conceptual Frame Work ...... 5 Chapter 2 ...... 6 Literature review ...... 6 Introduction ...... 6 Parental separation and self esteem ...... 6 Self-esteem and substance use ...... 7 Parental separation and substance use ...... 9 Hypothesis ...... 10 Chapter three ...... 11 Methodology ...... 11 Introduction ...... 11 Study design ...... 11 Population ...... 11 Sample size ...... 11 Research instruments ...... 11

iii

Procedure ...... 12 Data management ...... 12 Data analysis ...... 12 Anticipated problems ...... 12 Chapter 4 ...... 13 Results ...... 13 Introduction ...... 13 Descriptive Analysis ...... 13 Chapter 5: ...... 21 Conclusion, Interpretation and Discussion ...... 21 Introduction ...... 21 Discussion and Interpretation of Findings...... 21 Limitations ...... 22 Recommendations for Further Research ...... 23 References ...... 24 Appendix 1: Questioner...... 25

List of Table Table 1. Respondent’s Age………………………………………………………………..14 Table 2. Respondent’s gender……………………………………………………………..15 Table 3. Parental separation……………………………………………………………….15 Table 4. Self-esteem scores………………………………………………………………..16 Table 5. Substance use ……………………………………………………………………17 Table 6. Correlation between self-esteem and substance use……………………………...18 Table 7: correlation between self-esteem and parental separation………………………...19 Table 8: correlation between substance use and parental separation……………………...20

Abstract This dissertation study examines the relationship between parental separation, self-esteem and substance abuse among early adolescents. According to existing literature, parental separation is a major contributor to problems faced by most young adolescents as they must grow. Most of them fail to cope positively maybe because they don't have anyone to run to since the people they have been depending on for emotional support are no longer together this affects their self- esteem and influences them to use substances to cope with the occurring problems. To achieve the purpose of this study, questionnaires addressing parental separation, self-esteem and substance abuse were administered to 99 young adolescents of Namungoona Secondary School, ages 10 to 14. The results of the study show parental separation as a low risk factor for substance abuse among young adolescents and neither does self-esteem significantly influence the involvement of adolescents in substance abuse. While the results suggest otherwise from the literature, it is still important to stress the need to prepare adolescents for parental separation when it is being planned through counseling to minimize its negative effects on them.

Chapter One

Introduction

Back ground Adolescence is a transitional phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) defines adolescents as those people between 10and 19. Early adolescence is considered to stretch between the ages of 10 and 14. It is at this stage that physical changes generally commence, usually beginning with a growth spurt and soon followed by the development of the sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics.

United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF, 2011)The teenage years are tough since the teenager is going through different changes at the same time and they may sometimes not know how to handle themselves during this time, some of them may drift into using alcohol as a way of drowning their confusion.

Substance use is the use of both legal and illegal drugs excessively resulting into harm to self and others. WHO defines substance use as self-administration of psycho active substances? The surveys have found that the perceived risk of harm from drug involvement has been declining while the availability of drugs has been rising. Household products are abused as well as illegal drugs. Heroin chic as exemplified by rock stars and fashion models in USA has boosted the popularity of that drug among young people. In some areas, the adolescent use of heroin mixed with water and then inhaled has increased. According to a recent research in some African 1

countries, Results indicate a prevalence of 12.6% tobacco use, 6.6% risky alcohol use (two or more per day for at least 20 days or more), and 10.5% of illicit drug use (three or more times ever) in school-going adolescents.(Dr Anthony Mbonye 2015)

Family is one of the important social spaces which give you identity; shelter, security, senses of belonging and also nurtures the personality of a person. If the parents of an adolescent are having a wrangle in this system it may affect their personality in terms of self-esteem as the adolescent's role models are not giving him the right example this may make the young adolescent to divert into substance use so that he might get his identity and also find their worth. (Zeenat J, 2018)

There is no single reason for why teens do drugs or why teens drink alcohol but research points to a few reasons why an adolescent take part in substance use for example: they are quite vulnerable to copying the behaviors of those around them, shy adolescents use substances as a way of gaining confidence, if an adolescent is struggling at school they may go into substance use which is sometimes referred to as a "study drug", adolescents may engage in substance use in their bid to seek excitement as a new experience., Adolescents dealing with depression or anxiety will turn to substance use as a way to cope with their mental problem. (Aneela Akhter, 2013)

Substance use is greatly harmful to the life of an early Adolescent as it can make them miss out on the most special time of their life since they are mostly taken up by drugs that may destroy them physically and mentally. 2

Statement of the problem Substance use by young people is on the rise, and initiation of use is occurring at ever-younger ages. According to the director health services Dr Anthony mbonye, a surveillance report on alcohol and drug use indicates that the highest consumption to be39% in central region, 24.2% northern region, 20% eastern, 17% western, according to further research, 45%of youth in

Uganda have confessed to using drugs. This is according to the data collected by Uganda Youth

Development Link (2013)

Substance addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent.The most used substances in Uganda include, marijuana, kuba, opium. Drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication .low perception of being at risk and quick access to some substances like alcohol have increased the rate of substance use among adolescents. An adolescent being separated from either of the parents can create loss of contentment and challenges towards his or her self-esteem hence likely to engage in destructive behavior a case in point is substance and alcohol use to escape from reality and live in a world where judgment is nonexistent (Aneela K 2013)

Purpose of the study

The study sought to find out the relationship between self-esteem, parental separation and substance use among the young adolescents.

Objectives

To find out the relationship between parental separation and self-esteem among early adolescents.

To find out the relationship between self-esteem and substance use among early adolescents.

To examine the relationship between parental separation and substance use among early dolescents

Significance of the study

It should show why some adolescents get into substance use at such an early age and the circumstances surrounding the adolescent's involvement in substance use. The government in collaboration with rehabilitation centers may use the findings to get a way they can involve the citizens in the prevention of substance use among adolescents. These findings can be used to help understand the different cause and ways that can be implemented in the prevention of substance use among adolescents.

Scope of study

This study was conducted in Namungoona Secondary School in Namungoona, Kampala district.

The study focused on parental separation, self-esteem and substance use among early adolescents.

Parental separation is when a couple decides to live apart from each other because the elationship has broken down. (Department of Justice, 2015)

Substance use refers to the use of drugs or alcohol, and includes substances such as cigarettes, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, inhalants and solvents. (Health link, 2018).

Self-esteem sometimes referred to as self-worth or self-respect, can be an important part of success. (Kendra C, 2018)

Conceptual Frame Work

PARENTAL SEPARATION SELF ESTEEM

SUBSTANCE USE

Figure 1: A conceptual framework showing the relationship between parental separation, self- esteem and substance use among young adolescents.

According to the conceptual framework, Parental separation directly affects self-esteem which can lead to substance use. Parental separation is significantly related to substance use. If a conflict between parents persists, and they get divorced it will impact the development of the child making them believe less in themselves something that lowers their self-esteem this may influence the young adolescent to use substances as a way of escaping what is happening to them.

Chapter 2

Literature review

Introduction This chapter contains opinions of various authors and researchers on parental separation, self- esteem and substance use among early adolescents. Literature was obtained from newspapers and Internet and is discussed according to the major objectives of the study.

Parental separation and self esteem More than one million young children under the age of 18 experience parental divorce every year and many studies show that regardless of age, divorce affects individuals throughout their life.

The consequences of divorce can negatively impact young children’s psychological adjustment, behavior, social ability, self-esteem, and academic achievement, which can persist throughout adulthood. college students in the United States, more than four million college students have parents who are either divorced or separated (Knox et al., 2004). College students who came from divorced households often demonstrate increased levels of anxiety compared to those individuals who came from intact households, Adolescents with low self-esteem are also less likely to earn a higher education in adulthood.

The quality of parental relationship is allied with the positive or negative outcome in child’s behavior (Zeenat J, 2018)

Parental separation and divorce leaves children struggling emotionally. Anger and sadness are normal, regardless of your child's age - even if they are adults! Sadness can lead to isolation, loneliness, and social difficulties. Parental separation can leave an enduring legacy in the lives of children affected by it. (Kidspot, 2017) 6

They suffer from depression, confusion, indulge in joyless play, desire for the absent parent, feel guilty and blame themselves for the conflict and divorce of their parents. if parents don’t give attention to their children due to their marital conflicts and separation, this may develops avoidant attachment which subsequently leads to jealousy and lack of intimacy in later life.(Zeenat J, 2018)

Self-esteem and substance use Self-esteem is one of the biggest factors determining how successful we are in a given endeavor.

How you judge you’re self can determine whether you go out to try anything where you have to put yourself out there.

Self esteem is one of the biggest factors determining how successful we are in a given endeavor.

How you judge you’re self can determine whether you go out to try anything where you have to put yourself out there. Low self esteem can cause people not to realize their full potential and can lead to other serious issues such as depression and substance abuse. It may manifest as one believing there is something wrong with one self. Most turn to substance to fix their anxiety which they refer to as liquid courage. The problem with using substance in place of self worth is that the more you rely on substance the less personal strength you have to handle stressful situations. Pressure to also fit in with cool groups also contributes to substance abuse disorder, as you realize your dependence on the substance yourself worth goes away. (Better Today

Recovery Services, 2018)

If low self-esteem has been part of a teenager's upbringing, they may see themselves as less than everyone else, deficient in one way or another. They may consider their body or looks to be undesirable; they may doubt their ability to participate in sports; or they may tell themselves that

their brain power is insufficient. In either child or adult, low self-esteem can result in feeling stuck, having little or no motivation or energy. Everything becomes drudgery and hence the potential for destructive behavior and escaping to a world where judgment is non-existent becomes a very powerful hook. They therefore resort to substance use. (Silver, 2017)

Some studies detail the link between low self-esteem and substance abuse. Adolescents in particular are susceptible to substance abuse resulting from low self-esteem, while those with high self-esteem are less likely to use drugs. People with low self-esteem believe they’re unlovable, incompetent, or unworthy. (Silver, 2017)

Children from parents that have separated experience a greater number of social, academic, and personal adjustment problems than children from intact families. The transition following separation and divorce is highly stressful for most children, and the effects of separation tend to differ for boys and girls, with boys experiencing more externalizing or under control difficulties in the post-divorce period. (Richard H, 199)

Forty-five percent (45%) of the youths have confessed that they have taken drugs and alcohol.

Children and young offenders should be directed towards compulsory rehabilitation, counseling and treatment for psychosocial support rather than incarceration. Many people end up in prison where they learn adverse behavior and become hardcore criminals, emphasis should be put on use of clear, positive communication between parents and children as this would help improve their self esteem and hinder them from using substances as a way of getting the self esteem.

(Violet N, 2019).

Parental separation and substance use Parental separation is very complicated and multi dimensional process for a family to go through especially when the family has a young adolescent. Some research shows that young adolescents have a rough time adjusting even if the separation was amicable and quiet, parental separation restructures children’s childhoods and leaves them travelling between two worlds.(Sonia T, 2016)

Parties involved in the separation have their own individual feelings about the process, and they get through it at their own pace. The separation is usually preceded by the experience of a dysfunctional or unsatisfactory relationship (family support 2019).

Some research has pointed out that teenagers who live with single parents after a separation are more prone to substance use compared to those in intact families.

Drug use usually starts as a coping mechanism for adolescents. The teenagers refer to their home environment as hostile and blame their parents for not trying to understand them better.

Teenagers of divorced parents may never have drug use issues if they receive enough nurture, attention, and support. Without parents being there to guide them then turn to their peers who often play a significant role in their first encounter with drugs (Mayo clinic 2017)

According to a recent research in some African countries, results indicate a prevalence of 12.6% tobacco use, 6.6% risky alcohol use (two or more per day for at least 20 days or more), and

10.5% of illicit drug use (three or more times ever) in school-going adolescents (Beatrice N,

2015)

Administering treatment to adolescents could greatly prevent future substance use related- problems as the adolescent transitions into adulthood. Understanding the relationship between

substance use and adolescent development is crucial for designing effective interventions and treatment strategies (Next Generation Village, 2019)

Hypothesis There is significant relationship between parental separation and substance use among early adolescents.

There is significant relationship between self esteem and substance use among early adolescents.

There is significant relationship between parental separation and self esteem among early adolescents.

Chapter three Methodology

Introduction This chapter describes the methods adopted to conduct the study. It includes study design, population, sample size, data collection instruments, procedure that will be used, data analysis, and quality control and anticipated problems.

Study design A quantitative method of research will be carried out alongside a correlational method which will be used to examine the relationship between parental separation, self esteem and substance use among early adolescents. A combination of these methods enables a researcher capture and study a wide range of variables and interrelations.

Population The target population will involve students (young adolescents) since they are vulnerable to parental separation, self esteem and substance use.

Sample size A total of 100 respondents of age 10 to 14 years will be interviewed. The study will include both male and female respondents, simple random sampling will be used while selecting the participants so that every member of the population gets an equal chance of being in the study.

Research instruments A questionnaire, and individual interviews will be used, a participant will be required to fill in a questionnaire which will have four sections. Section A will include the bio data of the respondent,

Section B will measure parental separation focusing asking if the child lives with both parents, a

single parent, with other relatives or none, Section C will measure self-esteem of the respondents using the Rosenberg self esteem scale, Section D will measure substance use using a scale of

0.monthly, 1.less than a month, 2.Daily and 3. Never used substances

Procedure An introductory letter will be obtained from the school of psychology to be presented to the

Head teacher Namngoona secondary school in Namungoona, Kampala district. Respondents will be chosen at random after which the questioners will be given to the willing respondents. The respondents will be assured confidentiality about their identities.

Data management Questionnaires will be collected and edited to determine whether they were filled in appropriately.

Data analysis The data will be analyzed with the use of statically package for social scientists (SPSS).

Pearson's correlation coefficient will be used for statistical tests of hypothesis 1, 2 and 3 that is a significant relationship between parental separation, self esteem and substance use

Anticipated problems

Unwillingness of respondents to take part in the study.

Time constraints as the students will be having their lessons

Incomplete questionnaires.

Chapter 4

Results

Introduction This chapter will cover the data analysis, which includes the normality test, descriptive analysis and correlation analysis. Each analysis will interpret and answer the research questions. In the normality test, if the samples are normally distributed, Descriptive analysis will describe the respondents’ demographic profile. Validity and reliability are important to evaluate whether the samples collected are valid and consistent;

It further examined other demographic variables like Age, gender, if the respondents either live with their mother, father, and both biological parents or non, Self-esteem and substance use.

Descriptive Analysis The questionnaire was distributed to the young adolescents of Namungoona secondary school. A total of 99 questionnaires was collected and no data was missing. The main objective for descriptive analysis is to understand the profile of the respondent. Table 4.1 below shows a summary of the description analysis.

Table 1. Respondent’s Age

Age frequency Percentage (%)

10 – 11years 14 14.1

12 – 13 years 45 45.5

14 and above 40 40.4

Total 99 100

In this study the majority of the respondents are from the age group 12-13 years with 45 respondents representing 45.5% of the study, followed by the age group of 14 and above with 40 respondents representing 40.4% respondents of the study, the minority of the respondents are from the age group of 10 – 11 years representing 14.1% of the study. This is because the questionnaires were distributed when students were in class

Table 2. Respondent’s gender

Gender Frequency Percentage (%)

Female 57 57.6

Male 42 42.4

Total 99 100

In this study there are a total of 57 (57.6%) female respondents and 41 (41.4%) male respondents. The percentage shows that the female respondents are much higher than the male respondents.

Table 3. Parental separation Parental separation Frequency Percentage (%)

Biological mother 19 19.3

Biological father 7 7.1

Both parents 60 60.6

None of the biological parents 13 13.1

Total 99 100

In this study 60 (60.6%) respondents stay with both their biological parents, 19 (19.2%) of the respondents stay only with their biological mother, 7 (7.1%) of the respondents stay with only their biological father, 13 (13.1%) of the respondents live with none of their biological parents.

Table 4. Self-esteem scores

Scores Frequency Percentage (%)

0-9 12 11.9

10-13 27 26.7

14-15 34 33.7

16-17 18 17.8

18 and above 9 8.9

Total 100 100.0

Scores were given according to how the students rated their esteem, the range that scored the most was 14-15 with a frequency of 34 representing 33.7% of the respondents. Followed by those whose scores were 10-13 with a frequency of 27 representing 26.7%, 18 respondents scored 16-17 on self-esteem representing 17.8%of the respondents, 12 scored between 0-9 representing 11.9% of the respondents. Most of the respondents in this study had moderate levels of self-esteem

Table 5. Substance use

Have you ever used any Frequency Percentage substance in your life

No 89 88.9

Yes 11 10.9

Total 100 100.0

In this study about 89 (88.1%) have never used any substance in their entire life and 11 (10.9%) have ever used a particular substance in their life for example tobacco, Alcohol and sleeping pills.

Table 6. correlation between self esteem and substance use

To examine the relationship between self esteem and substance use, person correlation co efficient(r) was used. The alternative hypothesis stated that there is a significant relationship between self esteem and substance use.

Self Esteem Substance Use

Pearson 1 .104 Correlation Self Esteem Sig. (2-tailed) .305

N 100 100

Pearson .104 1 Correlation Substance Use Sig. (2-tailed) .305

N 100 100

Correlation results in table 6 show that there is not significant relationship between self esteem

and substance use (r=0.305, p=0.104>0.01). This is because p=0.104 is greater than

0.01(p=0.104) therefore the alternative hypothesis is retained and is concluded that there is no

significant relationship between self-esteem and substance use.

Table 7: correlation between self-esteem and parental separation.

Self Esteem Parental

separation

Pearson 1 .133 Correlation Self Esteem Sig. (2-tailed) .187

N 100 100

Pearson .133 1 Correlation Parental separation Sig. (2-tailed) .187

N 100 100

Correlation in table 7 above show there is no significant relationship between self esteem and who the respondent stays with (r=0.187, p=0.133>0.01). This is because p=0.133 is greater than

0.01 therefore the alternative hypothesis is retained and concluded that there is no significant relationship between self esteem and who the respondent stays with.

Table 8: correlation between substance use and parental separation.

Substance Parental

Use separation

Pearson 1 .090 Correlation Substance Use Sig. (2-tailed) .376

N 100 100

Pearson .090 1 Correlation Parental separation Sig. (2-tailed) .376

N 100 100

Correlation table 8 above shows there is no significant relationship between substance use and who the respondent stays with (r=0.376, p=0.090<0.01). This is because p=0.090 is less than

0.01 therefore the alternative hypothesis is retained and concluded that there is no significant relationship between substance use and who the respondent stays with.

Summary

The data analysis was presented in this chapter. The chapter started with the descriptive analysis, the next chapter will discuss the results and propose some recommendations.

Chapter 5:

Conclusion, Interpretation and Discussion

Introduction The following chapter concludes this report. A summary of the research is presented, and findings of the study are discussed and interpreted.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental separation, self- esteem and substance use. The literature review was concentrated on information gathered by other researchers. It was found that, most young adolescents who take part in substance use suffer from low self-esteem and their parents might have separated.

Research was conducted on young adolescents of age 10- 14 years in Namungoona Secondary

School, the class that took part in the study is considered to be the weakest academically among the streams. The intention of the study was to find out if parental separation and self-esteem can contribute to substance use

Discussion and Interpretation of Findings. The purpose of this study is "to find out the relationship between parental separation self-esteem and substance use among early adolescents". The results of the study show parental separation as a low risk factor for substance abuse among young adolescents and neither does self-esteem significantly influence the involvement of adolescents in substance abuse. While the results suggest otherwise from the literature. a total of 57 (57.6%) female respondents and 41 (41.4%) male respondents. The percentage shows that the female respondents are much higher than the male respondents in this study. Most of the respondents in the study had never used any

substance in their entire life representing a percentage of 88.1% and a few have ever used a particular substance were few represented by a percentage of 10.9%.

60 (60.6%) respondents stay with both their biological parents, 19 (19.2%) of the respondents stay only with their biological mother, 7 (7.1%) of the respondents stay with only their biological father, 13 (13.1%) of the respondents live with none of their biological parents.

Respondents who stay with both parents show a high level of self-esteem compared to those who live with none of their biological parents. Some other studies indicate that Self-esteem has long been believed to play an important role in the use of alcohol and psychoactive substances. The core principle of addictive behavior philosophy has been that substance abuse is a "learned habit" which can also be "unlearned". Consequently, the goal of such interventions is to decrease participants' vulnerability to negative social influences by exposing them to skills training such as relapse prevention techniques, with the enhancement of self-esteem as a vital component

(Aneela 2013)

Limitations Some respondent’s didn’t fill in some questioners up to the end this made it hard to know exactly what their score was.

Some respondents ticked the same box scoring differently making the questionnaire invalid.

Some respondent’s didn’t hand in all the questionnaires that were given to them

Some respondents weren't familiar with substance name like Amphetamine.

Recommendations for Further Research This research can be done on adolescents because adolescence is a period in which there is a preoccupation with the search for identity. It is also a time when individual is developing psychosocial competence, including strategies for coping.

References Aneela Akhter, 2013. Relationship between substance use and parental separation, international

journal of scientific research, vol 4, issue 2.ISSN-2229-5518

Carole Bennett 2013, low self-esteem a disposition that can lead to addiction

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/heartache-hope/201306/low-self-esteema-

disposition-can-lead-addiction.

Jensen, Sara J. (2011). The impact of self-esteem on substance abuse among emerging adulthood

(Doctoral dissertation, PacificUniversity). Retrieved from:

http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/409

New Vision 2019, 45% of Uganda Youth take drugs and alcohol, Violet Nabatanzi,

https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1315230/-ugandan-youth-drugs-alcohol

New vision, Dr. Anthony Mbonye, Director Health services, 2015. Health management

information system surveillance report on alcohol and drug use, Kampala Uganda

Next generation village, 2015, Teen drug abuse and recovery 1062 lake Sebring FL 33870,

www.nextgenerationvillage.com

SA Health, 2012, Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) South

Australia, www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

Zeenat jawal, 2018. Parental separation and its consequences for adolescents. England Wale,

www.ukessays.com

Appendix 1: Questioner Dear respondent, I am Akello Loise a third year student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in

Community Psychology at Makerere University. I am conducting a research study on parental separation, self-esteem and substance use in order to be awarded my degree. I would kindly like you to take part in this research by answering the following questions honestly. There is be right or wrong answers. All information you give will remain confidential and will be used only for purposes of research. You don't need to write your name anywhere. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please answer all questions by ticking the best alternative that applies to you.

Section A

Bio Data.

Sex: Male Female

Age: 10 years 11 year 12 years 13 years 14 years

Section B

1. Who do you live with?

Biological mother…………….

Biological father……………...

Step father…………………….

Step mother…………………...

Other relatives………………...

Section C.

Self esteem

Instructions

Below is a list of statements dealing with your general feelings about yourself. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement.

1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.