Mental health problems, dark triad personality and school environment performance in substance user and non-user of high school students

Abstract

This study attempted to examine whether there were differences between substance nonuser and user adolescents on mental health problems, personality, and school environment performance. The data on mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress), dark triad personality traits, and substance use were collected through self-report questionnaires from a sample of 680 high school students and accessing their average scores in all subjects from the Registrars' Offices of the respective High Schools. For this study, 680 (i.e., 340 substance users and 340 non-substance users) participants were selected using repeated survey sampling from eight government and private high schools in Bahirdar City, Ethiopia. Results indicated higher mental health problems (anxiety, depression, and stress) in substance users than non-users. It was also found that substance users score lower on school environment performance than non-users. Analysis of the data showed that female students don't have significant substance use, whereas male students do have significantly higher substance use. A statistically significant difference was also found between the substance nonuser and user female and male students. The results of the general MANOVA tests revealed that the mean differences for those with substance non-users and users were significant for narcissism (F= 4.796, p < 0. 01) and psychopathy (F= 7.143, P< 0.01) personality. Parents, teachers, and counselors could benefit from this study by being informed about the mental health problems and substance use of students.