Original Research

The relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse

L.G. Blore, S. Schulze, A.C. Lessing
Curationis | Vol 27, No 1 | a948 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v27i1.948 | © 2004 L.G. Blore, S. Schulze, A.C. Lessing | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 September 2004 | Published: 28 September 2004

About the author(s)

L.G. Blore, Faculty of Education, Unisa, South Africa
S. Schulze, Department of Further Teacher Education, Unisa, South Africa
A.C. Lessing, Department of Educational Studies, Unisa, South Africa

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Abstract

The research aimed to investigate the phenomena of adolescent depressive symptomology, substance abuse and the relationship between the two phenomena in a South African context. The influence of moderator variables was also examined. Another objective was to determine risk factors for the before mentioned. This was done by using a questionnaire with a sample of 1298 conveniently selected adolescents in a South African high school. It was determined that adolescents become progressively unhappier from 13 to 17 years of age. Girls are more depressed than boys. This research also revealed that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be no gender differences in substance abuse but teenagers from different ethnic and language groups differ in their use of substances. Risk factors for depression and substance abuse included a conflict relationship with parents, the experience of major stressful events, dissatisfaction with school grades and friends’ use of substances.

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Crossref Citations

1. Prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms among young women and men in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Mzikazi Nduna, Rachel K Jewkes, Kristin L Dunkle, Nwabisa P Jama Shai, Ian Colman
Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health  vol: 25  issue: 1  first page: 43  year: 2013  
doi: 10.2989/17280583.2012.731410