Self-esteem, Depression and Drug Abuse among Secondary school Students within Kampala

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between Self-esteem, Depression and Drug abuse among Secondary school students within Kampala. A quantitative approach was adopted in which only a quantitative data collection tool was used. Data was collected from 150 adolescents both male and female adolescents using questionnaires. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social scientists. The results showed that there was a significant negative relationship between Self-esteem and Substance abuse, (r= -.607**, p=.000). Implying that secondary school substance with high self-esteem are less likely to engage in substance use compared to secondry school students with low self-esteem. The results further showed that there was a significant relationship between Depression and Substance abuse, (r= .390**, p=.000)I implying that secondary school students with high levels of depression tend to use substances as a solution to depression. Lastly the results showed that showed that there is a negative significant relationship between Self-esteem and Depression, (r= -.436**, p=.000). Implying that secondary school students with high levels of self-esteem manifest low level of depression.