The relationship between depression, anxiety, stress and substance use among youth at North-West University Mafikeng Campus

Abstract

Globally, there is an upsurge in the use of substance. The rate of prevalence in South Africa in recent times is alarming, particularly among the youth population. However, prevalence rate and consequences of substance use have been addressed in a number of previous studies, even in South Africa. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between depression, anxiety, stress and substance use among youths at North-West University, Mafikeng campus. The study adopted the quantitative approach, using correlational design. Primary data used for the study were collected from a sample of 336 undergraduate students. The data were collected with the use of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). Results from the Pearson Product Moment Coefficients analysis revealed a positively significant relationship between depression and substance use. It further revealed a positively significant relationship between anxiety and substance use. In addition, the results indicated that stress positively correlated with substance use. The results were discussed in line with the theoretical foundations and previous empirical studies on substance use. It was concluded that as depression, anxiety or stress increase, substance use might also gradually increase. Recommendations were also made based on the findings that emanated from this study.