Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Coping-Skills Therapy on Alcohol and Cannabis Users among Kenyan University Students

Stephen Ndegwa, Ph.D., Daystar University)

Abstract

The rise in drug use and abuse among university students in Kenya and the resultant adverse effects have led to a simultaneous increase in the number of students in need of professional help. This study set out to evaluate the cognitive-behavioral coping skills therapy (CBST) as a treatment intervention. The study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of CBST among students using drugs and their academic achievements. A quasi-experimental design was employed on a sample of 78 respondents from Daystar University, Athi River campus. Respondent-driven sampling technique was used to select the sample. The respondents were assessed using various psychological tools and only those who met the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening and Test (ASSIST) criteria of moderate and high risk in their alcohol and cannabis use were included in the study. CBST was applied on the respondents and two post assessments were done after the intervention. The data was analyzed using inferential statistics that included t-tests, ANOVA, chi square, linear and logistic regressions. Treating university students who used drugs with CBST resulted in observable change in behavior, which indicated that CBST was effective.

Keywords: intervention, academic achievement, assessment, moderate risk, high risk, change in behavior