Meaning in Life, Substance Use Severity, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder

This study aimed to examine the relationships among meaning in life, depressive symptoms, and substance use severity in adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). This cross-sectional study included 75 adolescents aged 15–18 years diagnosed with SUD. Clinical characteristics and severity of SUD were assessed using the Addiction Profile Index–Adolescent Interview Form (BAPI-E), depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Child Version (RCADS-CV), and meaning in life was assessed using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ-10). Hierarchical multiple linear regression showed that MLQ-10 (presence of meaning) scores were negatively related to RCADS-CV (depression) scores (B = –0.40, p < 0.001), while BAPI-E scores were positively associated with RCADS-CV (depression) scores (B = 1.26, p = 0.002). However, neither MLQ-10 (presence of meaning) scores, age, nor gender demonstrated a significant association with BAPI-E scores. These findings indicate that a greater presence of meaning is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while greater depressive symptom severity is associated with greater substance use severity in adolescents with SUD. Psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening a sense of meaning may be relevant to the psychological well-being of adolescents with SUD; however, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether changes in meaning in life are associated with subsequent changes in depressive symptoms or substance use severity.