Typologies of Attachment Styles and Tendency to Substance Abuse Among Adolescents in Rivers State

The study investigated typologies of attachment styles and tendency to substance abuse among adolescents in Rivers State. A sample of 480 adolescents was used for the study drawn from a population of all adolescents within the age range of 13-19 in Rivers State. Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used to draw the sample. Four research questions were answered while four corresponding null hypotheses were tested in the study at 0.05 level of significance. Two instruments were used for the study which includes the Substance Abuse Questionnaire (SAQ) and Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ). The instruments were validated by experts Counselling Psychology and Measurement and Evaluation. A reliability coefficient of 0.69 was obtained for SAQ, 0.78 for Secure attachment, 0.81 for avoidant attachment and 0.77 for ambivalent attachment style respectively using Cronbach alpha. Research questions 1-3 were answered using simple regression while their corresponding null hypotheses were tested using t-test associated with regression. Research question 4 was answered using multiple regression while its corresponding null hypothesis was tested with ANOVA and t-test associated with multiple regression. Findings revealed among others that secure attachment style significantly predict substance abuse among adolescents in Rivers State. It was also revealed that avoidant attachment style avoidant attachment style to a moderate extent predicts substance abuse among adolescents in Rivers State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that schools and communities should implement programmes that identify attachment behaviours early and provide proactive support to adolescents at risk of substance abuse, parents should create a supportive home environment that deters substance abuse, and Counselors should help adolescents to develop emotional resilience and make positive decisions. It was concluded that adolescents with high level of avoidant attachment style have high likelihood to indulge in substance abuse. Key words: Attachment styles, Substance abuse, Adolescents