Child Maltreatment, Drug Stigmatization, Emotional Regulation, and Cognitive Functioning in Substance Abusers

Abstract

Substance abuse is well explained by the ambiguous pattern of use of substances that results in instigating substantial distress evidenced by recurrent adverse consequences allied to frequent use of substances, including fetching in risky behaviors and actions that persist in social or interpersonal problems and exert a significant enduring impact on individual’s physiological as well as psychological health. The present study explores the connotation of childhood maltreatment, drug stigmatization, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning in substance abusers. The research will employ a purposive sampling technique and a correlational research design using standardized psychological assessment tools such as the Demographic Information Form, Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, Perceived Stigma Scale, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale) to screen substance abusers. This study will also explore the mediating role of emotional regulation in the association between childhood maltreatment and drug stigmatization and the moderating role of cognitive functioning in the mediated path between childhood maltreatment, drug Stigmatization, and emotional regulation. The sample will be comprised of 300 diagnosed substance abusers (withdrawal states), including four main categories, i.e., Cannabis-related disorders, Opioids related disorders, Alcohol-related disorders, and Stimulants- related disorders, in different government hospitals and rehabilitation centers of the Lahore district and conscripted through purposive sampling. The age of participants ranged between (18-45 years). The collected data will be evaluated through SPSS-26 for statistical analysis, directing to subsidize a comprehensive understanding of substance abuse etiology in the Pakistani enlightening setting.