The Psychosocial Status of Children Aged 10-15 and Exposed to Substance Abuse

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2024 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 11 Issue 5

Year of Publication : 2024

Authors : Ipshita Adarsh, Ishaan Adarsh

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V11I5P108

How to Cite?

Ipshita Adarsh, Ishaan Adarsh, "The Psychosocial Status of Children Aged 10-15 and Exposed to Substance Abuse," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 11,  no. 5, pp. 56-61, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V11I5P108

Abstract:

The study explores the psychosocial status of children aged 10-15 years exposed to substance abuse within an NGO setting in a developing country. Despite the growing body of research on this subject, a critical research gap exists concerning children exposed to substance abuse in low-resource NGO settings, particularly in developing countries. Exposure to substance abuse in children disrupts brain development, leading to cognitive impairments, emotional dysregulation, mental health disorders, social isolation, and decreased academic performance. The study involved 256 children aged 10-15 years, divided into two groups: those exposed to substance abuse (Group 1) and those not exposed (Group 2). A self-imputed questionnaire was administered to assess various aspects of psychosocial well-being. The results indicated insignificant differences between the two groups, with children exposed to substance abuse not exhibiting lower scores in overall well-being. However, this finding underscores the need to further explore why traditional assumptions about lower well-being in such populations do not hold in this context. The chi-square test confirmed a significant association between substance abuse exposure and coping mechanisms. This research provides a novel contribution by filling the gap in the existing literature and examining psychosocial outcomes in NGO-supported children, unlike prior studies focusing on clinical settings. The findings emphasise the need for tailored intervention programs by NGOs to support children exposed to substance abuse. These insights provide a foundation for cultural development.

Keywords:

Intervention Programs, NGO, Psychosocial Development, Social Relationships, Substance Abuse.

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