The power of acceptance and rejection: a comparative study of parental acceptance-rejection and emotional intelligence among substance users and non-users of Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Background of the Study

The current study set out to determine how parental approval or rejection affected substance users’ and non-user’s emotional intelligence.

Method

Two hundred out of the four hundred participants (N = 400) in the sample were users of illicit drugs. (n₁ = 200) and two hundred were non-users (n₂ = 200). After taking the informed consent, the participants were approached at the Universities of KPK including the University of Peshawar, Agriculture University, and Islamia College University.

Results

It indicated that substance users scored lower as related to non-substance users, mean difference is 23.3. Results show significant differences (t = 10.07, p < .001) in self-report measure of emotional intelligence scale among substance users and non-users. Likewise, a significant difference (t = -10.93, p < .001) in the parental rejection scale among substance users and non-users was found. Results further indicated that parental acceptance increased emotional intelligence (F = 1,199), 38.753***; adjusted R² is .248 among non-substance users.

Conclusion

The theoretical framework, which is based on attachment theory, not only offers a thorough prism through which to view these results. But also highlights the long-lasting impact of early attachment experiences on emotional intelligence and raises the possibility that parent-child relationship-focused interventions could be effective in reducing the likelihood of substance dependence.

KEYWORDS:

• Parental acceptance-rejection
• emotional intelligence
• substance use

Acknowledgments

The major portion of this work was derived from the doctoral dissertation of principal author Dr. Nadia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).