Effects of Compassion-Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy on Aggression among Adolescents with Substance-Abusing Parents in Lagos State, Nigeria
*1Ilugbuhi, Maria Mfon., 2Osarenren, Ngozi A., and 3Nwadinigwe, Ikechukwu Peter
*1,2&3Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Parental substance abuse can severely compromise a child's access to essential physical, emotional, social, and mental support, leaving them susceptible to adverse experiences and potential psychosocial challenges like aggression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and shame, among other emotions and behaviours. Addressing these issues is crucial for the child's overall well-being and development. This study examined the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) on aggression among adolescents with substance-abusing parents. The study was anchored on Attachment and Family Systems Theories. Two objectives and two research questions were raised, and two corresponding hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control design, the study sampled 101 adolescents (39 males, 62 females) from three Education Districts in Lagos State based on their response to the Children with Substance-Abusing Parents Identification Questionnaire (CSPIQ) . The data collection instrument used for this study was the Aggression Questionnaire for Adolescents (AQA) with a reliability index of 0.70. All hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed a significant reduction in aggression levels among participants exposed to both CFT and DBT. The findings also revealed that CFT showed a more significant reduction in aggression levels than DBT. The study recommends utilising both therapies to manage adolescents with poor psychosocial adjustment. This research highlighted the potential of Compassion-Focused and Dialectical Behaviour therapies in addressing the aggressive behaviours faced by adolescents with substance-abusing parents. The findings offer important implications for counsellors in Lagos State and comparable settings. Based on the results, it is recommended that DBT and CFT be utilised in managing and reducing aggressive behaviours among adolescents affected by parental substance abuse.
Keywords
Adolescents, Aggression, Compassion-focused therapy, Dialectical behaviour therapy, Substance-abusing parents
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