Childhood Traumas: A Significant Cause of Substance Use among Young Adults in Pakistan

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Traumatic events in childhood have increased the risk of substance use. There is a dire need to assess this vulnerability among young adults as they are the most vulnerable segment of the population in terms of substance use. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the association between childhood trauma and substance use and examine gender differences across them.

Methodology: Young adults (N = 270) from different institutions in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar through a purposive and convenient sampling technique were asked to fill out Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-short form (Bernstein et al., 2003) and Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medications, and other Substances Questionnaire (McNeelay et al., 2016) to assess the variables of the study

Findings: Results showed that childhood trauma positively predicted substance use and male participants exhibited higher scores on substance use and reported higher physical abuse and neglect as compared to female participants.

Conclusion: The findings of the study could clarify the risk factors of substance use among adults. As the findings indicated, childhood adverse experiences could be a precursor and therefore efforts need to be addressed this aspect. Similarly, findings could help in the development of preventive measures and intervention programs to address substance use among adults who experienced childhood trauma.