Associated Risk Factors in Psychological Distress Among Individuals with Methamphetamine Abuse
Author(s): Elmeida Effendy*, Thomas Hendriko, Vita Camellia, Munawir Saragih and Fenny Aprilia Saragih
Abstract
Background: Substance abuse has been a worldwide phenomenon related to various health and psychosocial burden. One of the substance that is most widely abused in recent year is methamphetamine. Methamphetamine (MA) which is also known as “sabu-sabu” in Indonesia is a very well-known and widely used substance. 52 million users varying from 15 to 64 years of age are estimated to have used amphetamine for non-medical purpose at least once a year. Among other prohibited stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamin, and amphetamine has always been on the top of the selling chart in Europe. Methamphetamine selling has been shown to be increasing as well [1].
Aims: The study is intended to assess factors related to psychological distress in individuals with methamphetamine abuse.
Method: This cross sectional multivariate study is a predictive study which assesses both multiple independent and dependent variable by using the K-10 (The Kessler Psychological Distress-10) questionnaire, involving 45 individuals with methamphetamine abuse in Mahoni Mental Hospital in Medan. Statistical analysis was conducted by means of SPSS and dependent T test (only when data is normally distributed) or Wilcoxon (data is not normally distributed) is used to examine the relationship of both variables.
Result: We found that nuptial status, ethnicity, number of family members, working duration per day, length of work, back and neck pain, and DAT count are all related to psychological distress and that family burden as seen in number of dependent family member poses the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.245, p < 0.001) which indicates that more number of dependent family member is correlated with higher psychological distress. In the other hand, nuptial status, ethnicity, length of work, and neck and backpain shows negative correlation to psychological distress, for example those who are not married have less psychological distress (r = - 0.140, p = 0.018).
Conclusion: The result of this study may become important evidence to promote mental wellbeing support in the future.