Domestic violence, self esteem and substance abuse among early adolescents in Buyende district

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between domestic violence, self esteem and substance abuse among early adolescents in Buyende district, Busoga sub region in eastern Uganda. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the relationship between domestic violence and substance abuse among early adolescents, to examine the relationship between self esteem and substance abuse among early adolescents and to establish the interactive effect of domestic violence and self esteem on substance abuse among early adolescents. The study adopted correlation research design because it is a specific type of non-experimental design used to describe the relationship between or among variables. The correlation research design was used to measure relationship between domestic violence, self esteem and substance abuse among early adolescents. Data was presented into statistical information using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to establish whether the variables were correlated. So the researcher observed and concluded that it is important to note that, the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between domestic violence and substance abuse among early adolescents, significant relationship between self esteem and finally the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between substance abuse among early adolescents and domestic violence and self esteem on substance abuse among early adolescents. The study recommended that there is need for the Uganda government to set strict laws against domestic violence in homes since it has been identified as one of the leading causes of substance abuse among adolescents. Both parents and guardians need to be taught better ways of resolving conflicts. This will help to minimize the number of adolescents who run from their homes due to violence to engage into delinquent acts.