Date of Award

9-7-2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Cindy Anderson

Abstract

Psychiatric symptoms including psychosis and anxiety-like states have been linked to methamphetamine (MA) use, with severity of psychiatric symptoms has been correlated to duration of use. Prolonged psychiatric residual symptoms have been observed and reported, but there have been no studies that have examined residual effects beyond 12 months of abstinence. There are no studies to date which focus on anger, anxiety, and perception of stress as residual effects following 12 months of abstinence. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether the critical variables of age, gender, and previous substance use influence the experience of anger, anxiety. and stress in MA users abstinent for greater than one year. Using the Nursing Process Theory as the framework for this study, anger (state and trait), anxiety (state and trait) and perceived stress in abstinent MA users (n=50) were compared to non-MA users (n=50) using test scores derived from the State-trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The influence of age, gender and duration of MA use were examined as variables for the prediction of anger, anxiety and stress among abstinent MA users. Data analysis to determine group differences included students T-test and analysis of variance. The relationship between predictor and outcome variables was examined using multiple regression. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Abstinent MA users experienced residual sequelae beyond 12 months of abstinence and were found to have a higher incidence of both state and trait anger, state and trait anxiety, and perceived stress compared to non-users. Age, gender, and duration of MA use were not significantly related to the experience of anger, anxiety and perceived stress in abstinent MA users. Additional research is needed in determining factors that contribute to residual sequelae from MA use. Findings from this study Will inform approaches to treatment and influence policy development. Support, treatment and validation of symptoms could significantly improve quality of life of many individuals while reducing rates of recidivism.

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