Cultivating Resilience in Life and Drug Abstinence Intention: Perspectives of Substance-Abusing Youths
Keywords:
Youth, cultivation, resilience, intention to drug abstinence, thematic analysisAbstract
The purpose of this qualitative research was to describe the meaning of cultivating resilience in life and intention to abstain from drugs from youths’ perspective. Participants were ten
substance-abusing youths who had undergone treatment at Wiwatpollamuang School and private treatment facility. Interview guidelines were developed for in-depth interviews and focus group
discussion. Data were collected by in-depth interviews of two youths, while the other eight youths participated in a focus group. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The results showed that the youths defined resilience in life as acceptance of life’s uncertainties and the problem fighters who dared to face them. Cultivating resilience in life resulted from realizing life’s creation and creating values, persisting in solving problems, and receiving hope and encouragement from significant others. The youth conveyed their thoughts and experiences
about their intentions to abstain from substance abuse in terms of five main themes: 1) developing life “weapons” to prepare for conquering and facing substance abuse challenges, 2) missing and concern for their families, 3) managing the environment, 4) reflecting on the past to mark the path for the future, and 5) recognizing the internal struggles that were the obstacles to be faced. The results suggested that the youths’ perspectives can be useful for improving substance abuse interventions. This perspective should be integrated with child and youth care experts’ perspectives, youth drug addiction treatment groups, the fundamental concepts of acceptance and commitment therapy, and other research evidence to develop an acceptance and commitment therapy that would enhance resilience in life and intention to quit substance abuse among youth.
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