Self-esteem, depression and substance abuse among university students

Abstract

Substance abuse is a life-threatening societal predicament among university students and is associated with increased illness and death (Measelle, Stice & Springer, 2006). The study aimed at examining the relationship between self-esteem, depression and substance abuse among university students. It was carried out in Makerere University Kampala main campus. A sample of 100 male and female undergraduate respondents were selected and a correlational survey design was used that was quantitative and descriptive in nature. A purpose constructed self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was later analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 21.0). Pearson`s Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to measure the level of significance of hypotheses and results revealed that there is a significant relationship between self-esteem and depression among adolescents; there is no significant relationship between self-esteem and substance abuse and lastly, it was found out that there is a significant relationship between depression and substance abuse.