NCJ Number
208458
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 48 Issue: 3 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 39-61
Editor(s)
Manoj Sharma
Date Published
December 2004
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationships between self-esteem and substance use disorder among a population of adult homeless male substance abusers living in an urban setting.
Abstract
Over the years, research has indicated that self-esteem plays an important role in the use of alcohol and psychoactive substances. Research also indicates that low self-esteem poses high risk for substance abuse in some populations, such as adolescents, college students, and women. However, no corresponding studies were found that investigated the relationship between levels of self-esteem and substance abuse among the homeless. Using secondary data analysis methodology, this study evaluated an experimental design study involving 305 homeless men. Over a 3-year period, from 1991 to 1993, 193 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 112 to the control group. Results of the study indicated that the experimental treatment was not associated with increase in self-esteem, and the experimental treatment interventions were associated with the lowering of self-esteem within treatment participants compared with control participants. These results were associated with significantly higher alcohol use by treatment participants. The role of self-esteem in the homeless population of this study appeared different from its importance in high school and college students. The implications from this evaluation for education, practice, research, and policy are discussed. References