Moderating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between psychological vulnerability, rejection sensitivity, self-esteem and substance use

Abstract Introduction Problems of substance abuse including expansion in number of people that use drugs and use of non-conventional substances create new health and control challenges. For instance, the misuse of volatile solvents, inhalants, fumes from human excreta and synthetic substances could account for increasing death rates among drug users. Unfortunately, not much is known about possible push psychological factors that contribute to these developments. This study investigated whether psychological vulnerability, rejection sensitivity, and self-esteem predicted substance abuse among undergraduates and the moderating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship. Method An online survey method conveniently sampled seven hundred and eighty-three (783) undergraduates from Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The participants were aged 17 to 30 years (M = 21.00; SD 3.03). Data were collected using the psychological vulnerability scale, Rejection Sensitivity Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Drug Abuse Screening Test, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Results Using a moderated regression analysis, the results showed that psychological vulnerability (β = 0.17, p<. 001), rejection sensitivity (β = 0.41, p<. 001) and self-esteem (β = 0.42, p<. 001) were positively associated with substance abuse. Conversely, psychological flexibility was negatively associated with substance abuse (β = − 0.22, t = -6.40, p < .001). The overall model explained 29.7% of the variability in substance abuse, with a significant change in R² (F(4, 778) = 82.20, p < .001). Similarly, psychological flexibility significantly moderated the relationship between psychological vulnerability, rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, and substance abuse (B = 0.24, p<. 001; 0.32, p<. 001; 0.30, p<.001). Conclusion There is need to promote psychological resilience (as opposed to psychological vulnerability) and self-confidence (as opposed to rejection sensitivity) as well as early identification and support among undergraduates to prevent drug involvement.