Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Coping-Skills Therapy on Alcohol and Cannabis Users Among Daystar University Undergraduate Students, Machakos County

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Date

2016-05

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Publisher

Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences

Abstract

The rise of drug use and abuse among university students in Kenya and the resultant adverse effects have led to a simultaneous increase in the number of students in need of professional help. This study set out to evaluate the cognitive-behavioral coping skills therapy (CBST) as a treatment intervention. The study hoped to bridge the existent knowledge gap on effective treatment models for drug use among university students in Kenya. The objectives were determining alcohol and cannabis use risk levels; examining factors associated with alcohol and cannabis use and abuse; evaluating the efficacy of CBST among students using drugs; and evaluating academic achievements of undergraduate students using drugs. A quasi-experimental design was employed on a sample of 78 respondents from Daystar University, Athi River campus in Machakos County. Respondent-driven sampling was used to select the respondents. The respondents were assessed using various psychological tools and only those who met the ASSIST criteria of moderate and high risk in their alcohol and cannabis use were included in the study. CBST was applied on the respondents and two post assessments were done after the intervention. The data was analysed using inferential statistics that included t-tests, ANOVA, chi square, linear and logistic regressions. The results revealed that most of the respondents had moderate risk for alcohol and cannabis use problems. In addition, gender, age, year of study, and accessibility to drugs were all factors that were found to influence studentsā€˜ drug use. Similarly, cigarettes, khat, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and academic performance were found to have an association with respondents drug use. Treating university students who used drugs using CBST resulted in observable change in behavior, which indicated that CBST was effective.

Description

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Clinical Psychology

Keywords

alcohol and cannabis, university students, cognitive-behavioral

Citation

Ndegwa, S. N. (2016). Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Coping-Skills Therapy on Alcohol and Cannabis Users Among Daystar University Undergraduate Students, Machakos County. Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences