Why do some people resort to using drugs in stressful situations and some do not? That is a familiar question researchers and psychologists have been wrestling with for a long time. This pilot study not only highlights the struggles of any individual who has moved to a foreign country but it is also a depiction of the turmoil human beings face when they feel out of place, isolated, and scared. Not everyone is equipped with the inner strength and ability to envision a better future in order to withstand unexpected challenges and focus on long-term goals. While some seem to be able to move through life’s struggles rather effortlessly, there are others who believe it is easier to face challenges with the help of narcotics.
The author Reham Al Taher, a psychology major and aspiring clinical psychologist, was raised most of her life in Egypt and moved to the Netherlands in 2012. In this pilot study she is investigating the potential correlation between drug use, impulsiveness, and emotional dysregulation among expatriates in the Netherlands.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Literature Review
1.1 Impulsiveness
1.2 Emotional Dysregulation
1.3 The Relationship between Impulsiveness and Emotional Dysregulation
2. The Expatriate
2.1 Research Question
3. Methodology
3.1 Experimental Design
3.2 Population
3.3 Materials
3.4 Procedure
4. Results
4.1 Emotional Dysregulation (Raw scores and graphs in Appendix 5)
4.2 Impulsiveness (Raw scores and graphs in Appendix 6)
4.3 Drug Use (Raw scores and graphs in Appendix 7)
4.4 Pearson’s (Appendix 6)
5. Discussion
Research Objectives & Topics
This study aims to investigate the psychological relationship between drug use, impulsiveness, and emotional dysregulation specifically within the expatriate population residing in the Netherlands. The research seeks to determine if individuals who use drugs demonstrate higher levels of impulsivity and emotional instability compared to those who do not, addressing the potential impact of stress associated with expatriate life.
- The correlation between drug use and impulsiveness in expats.
- The link between emotional dysregulation and substance use patterns.
- The impact of stressors on expatriate mental and emotional well-being.
- Explanatory research design using standardized psychological assessments.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Impulsiveness
The general concept of impulsivity can be defined as the tendency to act prematurely without thinking of the potential consequences (Berlin & Hollander, 2008). This differs from compulsivity which refers to the tendency to repeat the same, often purposeless actions and are sometimes associated with undesirable consequences (Berlin & Hollander, 2008). There seems to be a relationship between the two because even though impulsive behaviors do have an initial element of pleasure, they can lose this pleasurable quality over time, as many individuals re-engage in certain activities in a compulsive way in order to decrease dysphoria (Berlin & Hollander, 2008). This suggests that these urges are reinforced by the desire to alleviate anxiety and stress to obtain pleasure and gratification.
Drug use is common in individuals who have high levels of impulsivity, as it may be part of a pattern of impulsive behavior (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2014). Independent of how the substance abuse actually begins, it always makes the impulsive behavior worse (Futures Palm Beach, 2015). Even if the substances initially make the impulse seem more manageable, it actually causes one to lower one’s inhibitions and impairs one’s judgment, making it more difficult to practice effective coping skills in high-risk situations (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2014). The 2012 publication by The National Institute of Drug Abuse on “Drug, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction” discusses the ways that drug addiction is responsible for a decrease in impulse control while simultaneously increasing the individual’s desire to take more drugs. It indicates that the lessening of self-control occurs in the addict as well as the casual user, or the new user.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a background on the psychology of expatriation, noting the prevalence of stress and the complex nature of drug use as a coping mechanism.
1. Literature Review: Explores existing psychological theories regarding impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and their documented correlations with substance abuse behaviors.
2. The Expatriate: Examines the unique environmental and psychological stressors faced by expatriates in the Netherlands and establishes the specific research questions.
3. Methodology: Details the correlational research design, participant recruitment via snowball sampling, and the use of standardized questionnaires (DERS, BIS-11, DAST-20).
4. Results: Presents the statistical data from the surveys, confirming a positive correlation between drug use and impulsiveness while reporting insignificant findings for emotional dysregulation.
5. Discussion: Interprets the findings, addresses the impact of small sample sizes and confounding variables, and suggests directions for future longitudinal research.
Keywords
Expatriates, Netherlands, Drug use, Impulsiveness, Emotional dysregulation, DERS, BIS-11, DAST-20, Correlational study, Psychological stress, Substance abuse, Self-report, Mental health, Adaptation, Coping mechanisms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The study investigates the relationship between legal drug use, impulsiveness, and emotional dysregulation within the expatriate population living in the Netherlands.
What are the core thematic areas?
The core themes include the psychology of expatriation, the mechanics of impulse control, the role of affect and emotional regulation in substance use, and the stressors inherent in living abroad.
What is the central research question?
The central question asks whether there is a statistically significant relationship between drug use, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation among expats in the Netherlands.
Which methodology was employed for this research?
The study utilized a correlational research design, collecting data through an online self-report questionnaire consisting of 91 points from established psychological scales.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of the expatriate condition, the specific experimental methodology, the presentation of survey results, and a discussion regarding the validity and implications of the findings.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include expatriates, impulsiveness, emotional dysregulation, drug use, correlational research, and psychological stress.
Was a significant correlation found between all variables?
A moderately positive relationship was found between drug use and impulsiveness, but the results concerning the relationship between drug use and emotional dysregulation were statistically insignificant.
Why were the results for emotional dysregulation inconclusive?
The researcher suggests that the small sample size and the possibility that the entire expatriate population under study might already be experiencing elevated stress levels—potentially leading to a baseline of emotional dysregulation across all groups—may have confounded the results.
Are the participants representative of the entire Dutch expat population?
The researcher notes that the pilot study's sample size is too small to generalize findings to the broader expat community in the Netherlands, emphasizing the need for larger, future studies.
- Citation du texte
- Reham Al Taher (Auteur), 2015, The Relationship Between Drug Use, Impulsiveness and Emotional Dysregulation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/303552
