A COMPARATIVE STUDY: PSYCHOLOGICAL MALADJUSTMENT BETWEEN DRUG ADDICTS AND NON-DRUG ADDICTS IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

This study explores the degree of psychological adjustment/maladjustment among male drug addicts in Peshawar. For this purpose, a representative sample of 200 participants (N=200) including 100 drug addicts, having age-range of M=32.83 and SD=8.90, selected from Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar and Dost Welfare Foundation, Peshawar, while, 100 non-drug addicts, with age-range of M=26.80 and SD=4.45, was selected from general population. The demographic information of the participants was recorded using a personal data sheet. For the assessment of psychological adjustment/maladjustment, Urdu version of Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Riaz, 2011) was administered. The results showed higher level of psychological maladjustment among drug addicts as compared to non-drug addicts. Significant difference between the two groups on total score of PAQ (p < .001) was also evident in the study. It was concluded that drug addicts suffered from severe psychological distress in terms of aggression/hostility, dependency, low self-adequacy, emotional instability, emotional unresponsiveness, and negative worldview.