Abstract:
This study aimed to explore the complex relationships between psychoanalytic defenses,
childhood trauma, parental attachment, guilt, and shame in individuals with substance abuse issues
in a Pakistani cultural context. Utilizing a correlational research design, a purposive sample of 200
diagnosed substance abusers aged 15 to 30 was selected from various rehabilitation centers across
Punjab. Participants were required to be in the withdrawal phase for at least two weeks, with
exclusion criteria including significant coexisting conditions, contradictory diagnoses, or physical
impairments. Data was collected using standardized assessment tools, including the Child Trauma
Questionnaire (CTQ), Guilt and Shame (TOSCA-A) Scale, Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale
(DMRS-SR-30), and Parental Attachment Scale. SPSS-26 was employed for data analysis, which
revealed significant correlations and moderation effects between the variables. These findings
provide valuable insights into the psychological factors contributing to substance abuse and have
implications for developing targeted interventions, particularly within the cultural context of
Pakistan.
Keywords: Psychoanalytic Defenses, Childhood Trauma, Parental Attachment; Guilt and Shame,
Substance Abuser
