AUTHOR=Namusoke Jane , Amone-P’Olak Kennedy , Nakanwagi Carol Chosen , Kibedi Henry , Mayengo Nathaniel , Ssenyonga Joseph , Omech Bernard 

TITLE=The mediating role of self-control on the relations between adverse childhood experiences and substance use among adolescents in Uganda

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1297565

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1297565

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Objective</title><p>Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are established risk factors for undesirable consequences in adolescence and early adulthood, including substance use and a lack of self-control. Based on the Social Bonds Theory (SBT), this study aims to expand our knowledge of the pathways from ACEs and self-control to substance use in adolescence and early adulthood.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>The extent to which self-control mediates the association between ACEs and substance use was examined in a cross-sectional survey of 358 adolescents and young adults (<italic>N</italic> = 234, 65.5% girls, mean age 17.7, <italic>SD</italic> 0.58, <italic>range</italic> 15–18). Data were gathered using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE-10) questionnaire, the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), and the 10-item self-control scale to assess childhood adversity, substance use, and self-control, respectively.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>ACEs were widely reported and significantly associated with substance use and a lack of self-control. Self-control strongly predicted substance use, independent of ACEs. Among those reporting no ACEs, one to two, three to four, and five or more, there were significant variations in the respondents’ substance use (<italic>F</italic><sub>(3, 400)</sub> = 12.69, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001). Self-control explained 51.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41, 61%) of the associations between ACEs and substance use as assessed by linear regression.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Self-control is key to understanding why adolescents and young adults with a history of childhood adversity indulge in substance use. Therefore, there is a need to advocate for psychological interventions such as cognitive and behavioural therapy that have demonstrated efficacy in promoting self-control in adolescents and young adults.</p></sec>