Psychological Factors Influencing Substance Use in Young People V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Attachment, Reflective Functioning and Emotion Regulation in relation to Substance Use in Adolescents
IRAS ID
291670
Contact name
Matthias Schwannaeur
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Substance use during adolescence is common ranging from experimenting with tobacco, alcohol and drugs to developing an addiction. The likelihood of substance dependency is higher during adolescence than any other developmental period. Adolescence is therefore a critical window for prevention and early intervention.
From an attachment perspective, individuals who had difficult experiences in childhood may have difficulties with managing distressing emotions and may use substances to self-soothe. Research suggests that emotion regulation plays a complex role in substance use, however, little research has explored this relationship. Another process developed through attachment, reflective functioning, may influence the relationship between attachment and substance use. Reflective functioning is the capacity to understand ourselves and others in terms of our thoughts, how we feel, our desires, wishes and goals, and the influence of these mental states on our behaviour.
The following study seeks to explore how psychological factors (e.g. attachment, emotion regulation and reflective functioning) influence substance use in adolescents. Specifically, it will address if attachment predicts substance use in adolescents and if emotion regulation and reflective functioning influence this relationship. As adolescence is a dynamic period for developing bonds out-with the parental relationship, the study will explore these factors across different types of relationships during adolescence (e.g. boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend).
The researcher hopes to recruit adolescents (aged 16 -24) in the general population. The study will be advertised online on popular social media platforms and third sector organisations. The researcher also plans to recruit young people aged 12-24 through NHS/multi-agency services. The study will involve the completion of online questionnaires designed to measure substance use, attachment, emotion regulation, reflective functioning and psychological distress (also referred to as mental health). If results show that attachment predicts substance use this may influence treatments offered for this population.
Summary of Results
Substance use was not found to directly predict substance use, with the exception of romantic avoidant attachment.
The study found evidence for a strong indirect relationship for the role of attachment insecurity in predicting emotion dysregulation, reduced reflective functioning and increased substance use across attachment avoidance and anxiety. This relationship present across all relationship types but strongest for romantic and peer relationships.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0134
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion