Relationship between Socialization and Drug Consumption - Case Study Example

NON-EQUIVILANT RESEARCH DESIGN The purpose of the present study is to find out whether or not there exists any relationship between socialization process and drug consumption on the one hand and therapeutic counseling and rehabilitation of the addicts on the other. The study has been supported by the already existing research made by Sara Markowitz in 2000 on almost the same topic. Time series has been applied as the tool for comparative analysis and changes in the dependent variable on the one hand and on the research findings on the other. Quasi-experimental design has been applied for the new research. INTRODUCTION: Man is a social animal and the product of society. He is born in one of the most important institutions of society and all his needs and requirements are fulfilled by living in society. Family is the primary unit of all societies from the most primitive clans and tribes to the most modern contemporary nuclear age. It is family that is most responsible for the personality build-up of an individual. An individual is the reflection of the education and training of his parents. The nurture theory strongly lays stress on the proper look after of a budding child, as he is the future of the society. Social psychologists and criminologist explain parenting the source of grooming an individual who has no knowledge of good or bad at all. It has aptly been said that man is frail by nature. He undergoes countless rejoicing as well as gruesome moments in life. Happiness drives his instinct towards getting indulged in revelries and celebrations. In the same way, one seeks escape in intoxication in state of misery and depression. In order to forget troubles and avoid tensions, though for the time being, people use alcohol and get support of chemicals. So many domestic, emotional and financial crises drag man towards the consumption of drugs and liquor, which is awfully damaging for man’s mental and physical health. Substance enslavement serves like slow poisoning and leaves man in a precarious situation of uncertainty and weakness. Craving for the use of chemicals not only haunts both the young and the old, but also teen-age children fall victim to the chemical consumption too. Doweiko (2006) has also discussed the problem in the twenty-third chapter of his famous book “Concepts of Chemical Dependency”. Chemical dependency is increasing among the college students rapidly as they feel emotional and domestic stresses and look for something that could relieve their tensions and loneliness. Thus, they try to drown themselves in the thick stream of liquor and adopted the way of perversion out of their loneliness. The college students see no fear or hesitation due to the fact that they are least care about the consequences of drinking. In addition, they have observed their parents taking liquor time and again, so they are under illusion that it is a source of relief and freedom from tensions and problems. The researches reveal the very fact that domestic instabilities, negligence of parents and lack of appropriate care push the young students towards chemical dependency. Doweiko has analyzed the problem among the adolescents and suggested the therapy for the cure. “The effects of drug use not only on drug users themselves”, observes Marina Barnard, “but also the feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, shame and loss that are commonly experienced by their extended family.” Before embarking upon the research design, under study, it would be appropriate to elaborate the concepts applied in the present research. Research Design: Research design is the second step taken during the research process, which aims to identify the measurement of the two variables applied in a hypothesis, as well as the selection of the units of analysis for the research. In addition, research design estimates the psychological and social effects of the controlled environment while conducting the research. In simple words, a research design is drawn in order to define the gathering and analyzing of data in a comprehensive and systematic way. Psychological researches are based on observation of a socio-psychological phenomenon as well as valid experimentation on the basis of facts and findings collected and tested empirically. “Science is”, Bachrach views, “always a balance of observation and experiment, for observation is the empirical gathering of facts, and experiment is the active reasoning about these facts and the manipulation of them for further knowledge.” (1989: 46) Experiments carried out properly help a lot in respect of understanding a psychological phenomenon and for the solution of a social and psychological problem as well. In an experimental design, units of analysis are randomly selected, where every unit maintains equal chances of getting selected. “Experimental design provides”, Abrahams submits, “a high degree of control over an experiment, enabling the research the ability to draw casual inferences with a high degree of confidence.” (1997:9; retrieved in Einstein, 2008) On the contrary, in quasi-experimental group design, a researcher has least control over the selection of the units of analysis. Quasi-experimental design is unable to meet the requirements essential for controlling the influences of extraneous variables. Non-equivalent group design is the best example of quasi-experimental group design. Non-Equivalent Research Design: In sociological and psychological researches, the researchers usually apply experimental design while observing the units of analysis. Non-equivalent research design aims to conduct a comparison research on two non-equivalent groups containing the similar characteristics including age, gender, profession, culture, region and socioeconomic status etc. It includes one experimental (treatment) and one control group. “In the NEGD, we most often use intact groups that we think are similar as the treatment and control groups.” (Trochim, 2006: Retrieved in Knowledge Base.com) The research involves non-manipulated variables e.g. age, time or situation in order to estimate the groups have been selected for the experimented research. In addition, the units of analysis i.e. population is not randomly assigned to a group in this method. Pros and Cons of Non-Equivalent Research Design: Pros: i) Non-equivalent research design maintains statistical equivalence of characteristics, units of analysis and subject under study ii) It makes a comprehensive comparative analysis of two different researches iii) It maintains utmost control over extraneous variables iv) It presents inferential statistics in detailed but precise form v) The test offers direct manipulation of the independent variable Cons: i) Non-equivalent research design requires high level of external validity that simply indicates low internal validity and almost no or little control ii) High levels of control needed for assuring internal validity mean very restrictive manipulated conditions which in turn imply low external validity iii) It is unable to apply variation of time, population and characteristics of new sample that may be quite different from that of the previous research. Topic of the Study: Since growing chemical dependency and drug addiction is becoming a harmful social evil, which is responsible for bringing many psychological disturbances, mental retardation and physical disabilities among individuals, the youth has turned out to be the greatest victim to this curse. It is therefore, the researcher aims to estimate the causes, consequences and curability of growing drug addiction among college students in the present research process. Hypothesis: The following hypothesis has been designed for this research: Proper care and attendance of the parents as well as appropriate counseling is highly supportive in the rehabilitation process of the college students VARIABLES: Independent Variable: Independent variable refers to the part of a statement, hypothesis or proposition that influences on the dependent variable and regulates its value and situation. In the hypothesis above-mentioned, parents’ care and therapeutic counseling serve as independent variables i) Parents’ Proper Care of Children: Parents are the head and administrator of a domestic set up. Proper and regular care, attendance, nourishment, food, clothing, shelter and emotional support of the children include the basic responsibilities of the parents. Socialization plays most imperative role in cognitive growth as well as personality development of the children. Negligence from these responsibilities may jeopardize the very future of the children. Drug consumption is also one of these outcomes of the negligence of parents towards the activities of their children. ii) Therapeutic Counseling: Therapeutic counseling simply means the one-on one oral psychological analysis of the individual suffering from any type of mental or psychological trauma. The same is also applied for the drug addicts. Latest techniques have been devised and methods have been formulated to rehabilitate the addicts so that not only the sufferers and their families can lead a respectable and peaceful life, but also society can be protected from crimes, deviancies, perversion and turmoil. The services of professional medical specialists and psychiatrists are acquired in this respect. Dependent Variable: Dependent variable refers to the part of a scheme, account, hypothesis or proposition that is regulated and influenced by the independent variable and it changes its value and situation on the basis of independent variable. In the hypothesis above-mentioned, drug consumption of the college students has been taken as dependent variable i) i) Drug Consumption: Drug consumption or chemical dependency simply means the consumption of alcohol or any other chemical or drug etc that drags the user in the world of temporary relief, but deficiently hurts mental and physical capabilities of consumer. In the same way, a substance abuse refers to any type of matter use of which not only causes mental and physical injury and impairment, but also significantly perturbs man while performing his everyday routine work and obligations. In other words, substance abuse is the use of different kinds of alcohol and drugs that hurts the consumer’s health and put the lives of other people in jeopardy. Many individuals, who apply alcohol, drugs, codependency and other malpractices, become addicted to these drugs by constant use. An overwhelming majority of such addicts desires to get rid of the addiction of drug abuse, though it becomes very hard for them to abstain from this bad practice. Not only they are deprived of health and physical strength, but also they lose their economic activity and respect in society. Their life appears as a sign of humiliation and misery in the eye of others and the people around them also have to suffer a lot. ii) ii) College Students: College students refer to the young individuals of the society, who have reached the age of majority, and their studies as well as age group is highly supportive in respect of their mental growth. Hence, it is only some domestic troubles, emotional disturbances or mental distortion that leads them towards drug consumption. Universe (Population): Since Sara Markowitz has limited her research to the high grade (college) students belonging to both the sexes for her study, the researcher has also is studying at the New York University, he has selected the students from the Department of Information Technology, College of New York. As the research involves quasi-experimental design, the respondents have been selected on the basis of quota (non-probability) sampling. Sampling Procedure: The present research has been taken after the research conducted by Sara Marcowitz, where she has explored the causes of leading the college students towards drug consumption. Quota/non-probability sampling has been implied in order to make the universe similar to the previous universe selected by Sara Marcowitz in her research. Thus, the sample consists of the college students, belonging to both the sexes in the present study. Tool for Data Collection: Interview-schedule was applied as a research tool to gather the data from the respondents. Interview schedule consisted of twenty nine questions and had been divided into three parts. First part was about the general enquiry including the questions related to age, sex, profession and other basic information. Second portion of the study was formulated to student life and surroundings of the individuals as well as the atmosphere in which they were leading their lives and the difficulties faced by them. The final section represented the drug consumption and the role of their social contacts in it. Pre-testing: Pre-testing was conducted, before the research process, in order to draw out the errors and flaws, from the interview schedule. At first, five individuals were interviewed and slight changes were made in questions after the pre-testing. Field Experiences: The researcher conducted his research while conducting interviews of the students. Most of the respondents were reluctant while giving the nature and details of their domestic and emotional crisis; they seldom denied their habit of drug addiction. RESEARCH FINDINGS: The research was conducted using quota sampling and the researcher visited the university daily in the morning and stayed till noon there, in order to conduct interviews with the students. In addition, the researcher also visited therapeutic centers in order to collect the data for the present study. Lack of understanding between the father and mother as well as imbalance between work-life routine has also created fuss at domestic level. Sexual harassment of the girls at the hands of boys also dragged the young girls towards drug consumption. On the other hand, economic difficulties and disloyalty of girls were included the causes making boys dependent of chemicals and drugs. It was found that the young age group has least care regarding the strength of relationship and stressed on hard work especially in the prime of youth. An overwhelming majority was found to be seeking great desire for keeping balance in domestic and professional life. Almost all the respondents gave importance to spend leisure with the members of family, while friends and lovers had also been given imperative importance. Talking about the success in career, all the respondents declared hard efforts, command over the subject and proficiency. But over 80% of them declared physical exercise vital importance. Most of the respondents were not satisfied with their present chemical dependency, though they looked for more energetic in bringing changes in their schedule. Moreover, most of the people felt uneasy in consuming leisure time without communicating with friends and family. Majority of people fights shy of revealing its life-style, leisure time activities and sex orientation to strangers and researchers and always sought to the company of their acquaintances. TABLE 1 Distribution of the Respondents on the Age Basis Age in Years Frequency Percentage 15-17 9 25.00% 18-20 12 33.33% 21-23 9 25.00% 24-26 6 16.67% Total 36 100.00% The above table indicates the very fact that nearly three fifth respondents belonged to age groups from 15 years to 20 years, while over two fifth of them were from the age-group between 21 and 26 years. Figure 1 Distribution of the Respondents on the Age Basis TABLE 2 Distribution of the Respondents According to Education Education Frequency Percentage NVQ Level 2 20 55.56% NVQ Level 3 16 44.44% Total 36 100.00% The above table reveals the very fact that over half of the respondents were NVQ Level 2, while remaining respondents were NVQ Level 3. Figure 2 TABLE 3 Nature of Chemical Consumed by Respondents Nature of Chemical Frequently Percentage Alcohol 27 75.00% Drug 21 58.33% Injection 12 33.33% Others 18 50.00% The table above shows that three fourth of the respondents consumed alcohol, followed by three fifth of them, who consumed different types of drugs Figure 3 Nature of Chemical Consumed by Respondents TABLE 4 Respondents’ Frequency of Visiting Recreational Places Places to visit Frequently F % Sometimes F % Rarely F % Restaurants & Hotels 28 77.78% 8 22.22% ------ Parks & Gardens 8 16.67% 12 33.33% 18 50.00% Clubs & Gyms 32 88.89% 4 11.11% ------ Musical Concerts 4 11.11% 16 44.44% 16 44.44% Cinema & Theatre 8 22.22% 24 66.67% 4 11.11% Others 18 50.00% 14 38.89% 4 11.11% Total 36 100.00% 36 100.00% 36 100.00% Attending the clubs and gyms is most popular among the beauty-therapists followed by visiting hotels and restaurants as well as parks and gardens. Figure 4 Respondents’ Frequency of Visiting Recreational Places Pre-test and Post-test Measures Drug Consumption Year Percentage Parental negligence (as Sara Markowitz Research) 2001 30.55% Parental care effects (as Sara Markowitz Research) 2001 16.67% Parental negligence 2007 41.67% Parental care effects 2007 11.11% RESEARCH FINDINGS OF PREVIOUS (SARA MARKOWITZ’S RESEARCH) TABLE 5 Distribution of the Respondents on the Age Basis Age in Years Frequency Percentage 13-17 15 41.67% 18-21 11 30.55% 22-26 10 27.78% Total 36 100.00% The above table indicates the very fact that nearly three fourth respondents belonged to age groups from 13 years to 21 years, while over two fifth of them were from the age-group between 22 and 26 years. Figure 5 Table 6 Nature of Chemical Consumed by Respondents Nature of Chemical Frequently Percentage Alcohol 24 66.67% Drug 27 75.00% Injection 12 33.33% Others 18 50.00% The table above shows that one third of the respondents consumed alcohol and drugs, followed by fifty percent of them, who consumed different types of drugs Figure 6 NON-EQUIVALENT GROUP DESIGN: Pre-test measures Treatment Post-test measure Variation Experimental Group O X O Pre O-Post O Compare ] Control Group O O Pre O-Post O DESIGN OF THE SARA MARCOWITZ STUDY Pre-test measures Treatment Post-test measure Experimental Group Drug Consumption Care & Counseling Drug Consumption Compare ] Control Group Drug Consumption Negligent behavior Drug Consumption The comparison of the pre-test and post-test measures in Sara Marcowitz study in Year 2001 The comparison of the pre-test and post-test measures in Sara Marcowitz study in Year 2002 Drug Consumption Year Percentage Parental negligence 2001 31.25% Parental care 2001 12.75% Parental negligence 2002 39.75% Parental care 2002 20.00% Comparison of pre-test and post-test during two years Increasing Treatment Effect ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE (ANOVA) Quasi Experimental Research Quasi Experimental Research Sara Markowitz Research Sara Markowitz Research Drug Consumption Year Percentage Year Percentage Parental negligence (as Sara Markowitz Research) 2001 30.55% 2001 31.25% Parental care effects (as Sara Markowitz Research) 2001 16.67% 2001 12.75% Parental negligence 2007 41.67% 2002 39.75% Parental care effects 2007 11.11% 2002 20.00% REFERENCES: Abrahams, Dr. David. 1997 Introduction to Social Research Methods University Book Press New York. (Quoted in Einstein, Albert, 2008: retrieved in http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/tutorial/Abrahams/sbk16.htm) Bachrach, Arthur J. 1989 Psychological Research: An Introduction. Fifth Edition Random House New York Barnard, Marina, 2006. Drug Addiction and Families. Paperback, ISBN-10 Doweiko, Harold E. (2006). Concepts of Chemical Dependency Wadsworth Pub Co. ISBN: 053463284X Trochim, William M.K. 2006 The Non-Equivalent Group Design. (Retrieved in http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/quasiexp.php) Non-equivalent groups design n. A quasi-experimental research design in which the investigator does not manipulate the independent variable but compares existing groups that differ on it. In this research design, the groups may differ in many other ways apart from the independent variable being investigated, and this limits the confidence with which the results can be attributed to the independent variable. See also one-group pretest–posttest design, interrupted time-series design. © A Dictionary of Psychology 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O87-nonequivalentgroupsdesign.html http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/simul/negd_m.htm http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/quasnegd.php http://www.niu.edu/pub_ad/p504/noneq.htm Read More