NCJ Number
162798
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 31 Issue: 7 Dated: (1996) Pages: 937-943
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Drug users in Kuwait were studied with respect to the relationship between their poor self-concept and a high level of anxiety.
Abstract
Information for this pilot study was collected from 107 incarcerated drug users, 107 inmates serving prison terms for offenses other than drug use, and 107 normal individuals who were either students or civil servants. The Arabic version of Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to measure the participants' self-esteem and state-trait anxiety respectively. The data were analyzed by means of one-way analysis of variance. Results revealed significant differences between drug users and nonusers with respect to self-esteem and levels of state and trait anxiety; drug users reported lower self-esteem and more anxiety. Users were more apprehensive and depressed than the nonusers, and they may start taking drugs because of their anxiety or depression. Reduction of anxiety or removal of depression by the drug might be a motivating factor to continue using it. Tables and 11 references (Author abstract modified)