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Original Research | Psychology | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 901 - 908 | India
Family Dynamics: A Comparative Study Between Adolescents with and Without Substance Use Disorder
Abstract: Substance use disorder (SUD) during adolescence is associated with significant psychosocial and developmental consequences, with family functioning being an important contextual factor. The present study aimed to examine family dynamics among adolescents with substance use disorder in comparison with adolescents without substance use disorder. A comparative study was conducted among 80 adolescents aged 15-19 years, comprising 40 adolescents with SUD and 40 adolescents without SUD. Participants with SUD were recruited from clinical settings and rehabilitation facilities, while the comparison group was recruited from a school. Following an intake session to determine eligibility, participants were assessed using the Family Environment Scale. Descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine between-group differences. Significant differences were observed across nine of the ten dimensions of family functioning. Adolescents with SUD reported significantly lower levels of cohesion, expressiveness, independence, achievement orientation, intellectual-cultural orientation, active-recreational orientation, moral-religious emphasis, and organisation, and significantly higher levels of conflict. No significant between-group difference was observed for control (p = .738). The findings suggest that adolescents with SUD may experience less cohesive and supportive family environments and greater family conflict than adolescents without SUD. The findings highlight the relevance of family functioning in understanding adolescent substance use and indicate the potential value of considering family factors in prevention and intervention.
Keywords: Substance use disorder, adolescents, family dynamics, family environment, Family Environment Scale
How to Cite?: Stella Yangzee Sherpa, Rita Rani Talukdar, "Family Dynamics: A Comparative Study Between Adolescents with and Without Substance Use Disorder", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 901-908, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26811115539, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26811115539