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Comparative Research on Substance Abuse and Self-Perception Among Adolescents with Physical Handicap
Koraljka Janeković
Sažetak
The research on substance (alcohol, tobacco and drug) abuse and on self-perception
was done by comparing a test group of physically disabled adolescents and a test group
of non-disabled adolescents. The respondents of the experimental group were students of
the only special high school for physically handicapped persons in Croatia, Zagreb. The
respondents of the control group were the students of two regular high schools in the
capital of Croatia. The instrument used in this research was a self-reported, anonymous
questionnaire. The respondents completed the questionnaire in the classroom. The data
analysis regarding alcohol abuse indicated that physically disabled adolescents drink
more often and out of quite different motives than their non-disabled peers. Regarding
the prevalence, frequency, quantity and motives for smoking, no statistically significant
difference has been found between the tested groups. On the contrary, significant differences
between handicapped and non-disabled adolescents were evident regarding drug
abuse. Only one physically disabled examinee used a drug – marijuana, only a few times
a year. On the other hand, almost one quarter of the non-disabled adolescents use at
least one, five at the most, type of drug sometimes or often. The results on the self-perception
scale show that adolescent with physical disabilities have a much more negative attitude
toward themselves than non-disabled controls. Their self-esteem and self-confidence
are seriously diminished. Described findings could have a mighty impact on ways
of preventing substance abuse, and on ways of increasing self-esteem among disabled
and non-disabled adolescents.
Ključne riječi
substance abuse; self-perception; adolescents; physical handicap; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
28174
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.12.2003.
Posjeta: 1.179 *