Self esteem, coping strategies and Alcohol use among adolescents in Kampala

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relationship between self-esteem, Alcohol use and Coping strategies among adolescents in Lubiri Secondary School Kampala. This study was to examine whether there is a significant relationship between self-esteem, alcohol use and coping strategies among adolescents in Lubiri secondary school. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 186 respondents who were randomly selected from each stream having 45 respondents. Data was entered and processed using SPSS version 23. Hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were tested using Pearson product-moment correlation(r). And hypothesis 4on mediation was analyzed using a multiple linear regression to test the mediation role of coping strategies (Problem focused, Emotional focused) and Avoidant coping) on the relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use. The results further revealed there is a relationship between self-esteem and Problem focused coping (P-value .002 lesser than 0.05). However, there was no relationship between self-esteem and Emotional focused as well as avoidant coping strategies with the P values of .054 and .217 respectively. The results revealed there is a relationship between alcohol use and Problem focused coping (P-value .023 lesser than 0.05). However, the relationship between alcohol use results Emotional focused and avoidant coping strategies were not significant (P values of .498 and.373). In addition. The study results revealed that there is a significant relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use among adolescents. This is because r =.157 and P-value (0.032< 0.05).Coping strategies do not mediate the relationship between self-esteem and alcohol use among adolescents in Kampala (P = .089>.05). Also, the B score in model 1 (14.691) reduced to (13.451) in model 2 (Sloped coefficient). Thus, this study recommends that there is a strong need for the schools and government to put in systems and approaches to help adolescents engage with emotional coping styles.