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Journals / Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 52

Meaning in Life, Substance Use Severity, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder

Madde Kullanım Bozukluğu olan Ergenlerde Yaşamda Anlam, Madde Kullanım Şiddeti ve Depresif Belirtiler

Hande Şirin(University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bursa, Türkiye.)0000-0002-2159-523X
İsmet Sivri(University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bursa, Türkiye.)0009-0009-4552-5314
Berhan Akdağ(Silifke State Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Mersin, Türkiye.)0000-0002-5203-403X
Mehmet Erdem Uzun(University of Health Sciences, Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bursa, Türkiye.)0000-0003-4311-2670
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-09-24
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings indicate that a greater presence of meaning is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while greater depressive symptom severity is associated with greater substance use severity in adolescents with SUD.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study aimed to examine the relationships among meaning in life, depressive symptoms, and substance use severity in adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD).
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Key Findings & Data:This cross-sectional study included 75 adolescents aged 15–18 years diagnosed with SUD.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings indicate that a greater presence of meaning is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while greater depressive symptom severity is associated with greater substance use severity in adolescents with SUD.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Madde Kullanım Bozukluğu · yaşamın anlamı · depresyon

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationships among meaning in life, depressive symptoms, and substance use severity in adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). This cross-sectional study included 75 adolescents aged 15–18 years diagnosed with SUD. Clinical characteristics and severity of SUD were assessed using the Addiction Profile Index–Adolescent Interview Form (BAPI-E), depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Child Version (RCADS-CV), and meaning in life was assessed using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ-10). Hierarchical multiple linear regression showed that MLQ-10 (presence of meaning) scores were negatively related to RCADS-CV (depression) scores (B = –0.40, p < 0.001), while BAPI-E scores were positively associated with RCADS-CV (depression) scores (B = 1.26, p = 0.002). However, neither MLQ-10 (presence of meaning) scores, age, nor gender demonstrated a significant association with BAPI-E scores. These findings indicate that a greater presence of meaning is associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while greater depressive symptom severity is associated with greater substance use severity in adolescents with SUD. Psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening a sense of meaning may be relevant to the psychological well-being of adolescents with SUD; however, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether changes in meaning in life are associated with subsequent changes in depressive symptoms or substance use severity.

Özet

Bu çalışma, madde kullanım bozukluğu (MKB) tanısı almış ergenlerde yaşamda anlam, depresif belirtiler ve madde kullanım şiddeti arasındaki ilişkileri incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Bu kesitsel çalışmaya MKB tanısı konmuş 15–18 yaş aralığındaki 75 ergen dâhil edilmiştir. Klinik özellikler ve MKB’nin şiddeti Bağımlılık Profil Endeksi–Ergen Uygulayıcı Formu (BAPI-E) kullanılarak; depresif belirtiler Gözden Geçirilmiş Çocuk Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği–Çocuk Formu (ÇADÖ-Y) kullanılarak; yaşamda anlam ise Yaşamda Anlam Ölçeği (YAÖ) kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Hiyerarşik çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi, YAÖ (anlam varlığı) skorlarının ÇADÖ-Y (depresyon) skorlarıyla negatif ilişkili olduğunu (B = –0,40, p < 0,001), BAPI-E skorlarının ise ÇADÖ-Y (depresyon) skorlarıyla pozitif ilişkili olduğunu (B = 1,26, p = 0,002) göstermiştir. Bununla birlikte, YAÖ (anlam varlığı) skorları, yaş ve cinsiyet BAPI-E skorlarıyla anlamlı bir ilişki göstermemiştir. Bu bulgular, MKB tanısı alan ergenlerde daha güçlü bir anlam varlığının daha az depresif belirti ile ilişkili olduğunu, buna karşılık depresif belirti şiddetinin daha yüksek madde kullanım şiddeti ile ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Anlam duygusunu güçlendirmeyi hedefleyen psikososyal müdahaleler, MKB tanısı alan ergenlerin psikolojik iyi oluşları açısından önem taşıyabilir; ancak yaşam anlamındaki değişimlerin depresif belirtiler veya madde kullanım şiddetindeki sonraki değişimlerle ilişkili olup olmadığını belirlemek için boylamsal çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

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Cite This Article

Şirin, H., Sivri, İ., Akdağ, B., Uzun, M. E., *, H. Ş. (2026). Meaning in Life, Substance Use Severity, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder. Uludağ Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 52. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1981618

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