Family Background and Parenting Characteristics of Young People with Methamphetamine Use Disorder in Northeastern Region of Thailand

Abstract

Background: Drug abuse is an important medical problem which affects both the patient and society. This

problem is rather common among young people in Thailand which family upbringing is one of the risk

factors especially in the Northeastern region where prevalence of parental migration is the highest.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine family background and parenting characteristics

of young people with methamphetamine use disorder as well as the association between factors related to

family upbringing and the onset of substance use in these young people.

Materials and Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study of young people between 18 and 24 years of

age with methamphetamine use disorder who visited outpatient clinics in Thanyarak Udon Thani Hospital

and Thanyarak Khon Kaen Hospital. 145 subjects were included to complete self-answer questionnaire

that included demographic information, details on substance uses, family background and parenting

characteristics.

Results: The results showed 88.3% were male and the mean age of 21.22 years. The prevalence of parental

migration during childhood was 30.34% (95%CI: 23.14, 38.61) while parental absence was 16.6%. Primary

caregivers during childhood were either father or mother in 70.34% of the subjects. Data analysis found

that having neither of parents as primary caregivers was associated with the onset of methamphetamine use

before age of 18 years (p<0.5).

Conclusion: Having one or both parents as childhood primary caregivers could reduce the risk of

methamphetamine abuse among adolescents.