An Inquiry into the Relationship between Drug Users’ Psychological Situations and Their Drug-Taking Behaviour

Gabriel Kwun Wa Lee, Gloria Chan, T. Wing Lo, Jerf W. K. Yeung, Cherry H. L. Tam and Xin Guan
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Gabriel Kwun Wa Lee: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Gloria Chan: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
T. Wing Lo: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Jerf W. K. Yeung: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Cherry H. L. Tam: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Xin Guan: Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: In view of the research gap whereby few studies have investigated the inner psychological situations underlying continuous drug use, this study used the Soulmate Scale to investigate the relationship between soulmate experience and drug-taking behaviour. Overall, 276 participants took part in this study. Results showed that soulmate experience was negatively related to drug-taking behaviour, which means that being psychologically attached to drugs and receiving comfort from them encourages dependency and a higher level of difficulty in quitting drugs. In addition, soulmate experience significantly mediated the effect of meaning of life and social isolation on drugs, suggesting that when such psychological bonding and sustenance can be developed in interpersonal relationships instead of drugs, drug users are likely to develop the meaning of life and a lower sense of social isolation, and are more likely to quit drugs. The corresponding implications were discussed.

Keywords: drug use; soulmate; significant others; family; drug treatment; therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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