Abstract
The research aimed to clarify the relationships between spirituality, gender, and drug use among undergraduate students of one university in Barbados. A quota sample of 250 students was required from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the study was part of a larger multi-centric study involving students from the Faculty of Social Sciences from seven other participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Significant negative relationships were found between a student's level of spirituality and their licit and illicit drug use over the past 12 and three months. Males and females also differed significantly in terms of illicit drug use (past 12 and three months). However no gender differences were found as it related to licit drug use. Moreover, females possessed significantly higher levels of spirituality than their male counterparts. Further qualitative research should be conducted among this age group within the Barbadian context to better explain these findings.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Barbados and the wider Caribbean there is great concern about an apparent increase in licit and illicit drug use and its negative effects on youth and adults
In Barbados and the wider Caribbean there is great concern about an apparent increase in licit and illicit drug use and its negative effects on youth and adults. Reflecting this concern, the Government of Barbados’ expenditure for substance abuse services grew significantly from $26,000 during the 2002-2003 financial year to $1.1 million in 2009-2010.1 Drug and alcohol use remains problematic across college campuses in Barbados with the consumption of psychoactive substances often beginning in secondary school and continuing later into life.[2]
The early age of onset of these behaviours among Barbadian youth is troubling because the college years are usually when adolescents are most likely to first experiment with alcohol and other drugs, while others are likely to move from experimentation to more frequent use.[3,4]
Summary
In Barbados and the wider Caribbean there is great concern about an apparent increase in licit and illicit drug use and its negative effects on youth and adults. Reflecting this concern, the Government of Barbados’ expenditure for substance abuse services grew significantly from $26,000 during the 2002-2003 financial year to $1.1 million in 2009-2010.1 Drug and alcohol use remains problematic across college campuses in Barbados with the consumption of psychoactive substances often beginning in secondary school and continuing later into life.[2] The early age of onset of these behaviours among Barbadian youth is troubling because the college years are usually when adolescents are most likely to first experiment with alcohol and other drugs, while others are likely to move from experimentation to more frequent use.[3,4] This is because many college students perceive that the use of alcohol (among other drugs) is normal acceptable behaviour.[5] In the context of Barbados, early onset may mean an above-average use of drugs and alcohol in the university environment. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between spirituality and drug use among Barbadian youth with a specific focus on gender differences
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