The relationship between anxiety and substance use : a quantitative study amongst young Maltese adults

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is an age of feeling in-between. It is an emotionally charged, identity-driven period, often marked by experimentation and exploration, including substance use. Drawing on literature linking anxiety to substance use, this quantitative study examined the prevalence of, and relationship between, anxiety and substance use among young Maltese adults. It also explored whether this relationship was shaped by sociodemographic factors. It was hypothesised that higher anxiety would relate to more severe substance use, while acknowledging the potential of a bidirectional relationship. A cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 375 participants aged 18 to 30 using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), and items adapted from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA, 2002) guidelines. A significant positive correlation was found between anxiety and substance use severity. Notably, 51.4% of participants reported moderate to severe anxiety, while 43.2% disclosed non-medical drug use. Cannabis, cocaine, and ketamine were the most commonly used substances. Moreover, regression analysis indicated that substance use severity was significantly predicted by several factors, with the male gender emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by being aged 25-27, higher anxiety levels, and being in a dating relationship. The association between higher anxiety and greater substance use persisted even after accounting for demographic differences. These insights underscore the importance of early, integrated responses that address emotional distress and problematic substance use in emerging adulthood, supporting holistic, attuned care within systems responsive to the needs of young adults.