A Qualitative Inquiry into the Psychosocial Determinants of Sedative Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Misuse among Adults in Islamabad

Abstract

Objective: The use of sedative hypnotics or anxiolytics in adults poses a significant public health concern. Understanding the underlying factors contributing to their use is essential for devising effective preventive interventions. However, there is a dearth of exploratory studies investigating the determinants of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder. This study aimed to explore the psychosocial determinants of Sedative Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Use Disorder among adults.
Study Design: A phenomenological qualitative approach was employed.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Psychology, Shifa Tameere-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from September 2020 to July 2021.
Methods: Eight participants with sedative-hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder were selected using the snowball sampling technique. By using the DSM-5 criteria for Sedative Hypnotic Anxiolytic Use Disorder, the participants were screened. An in-depth interview was conducted with participants to explore the determinants of sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic medications. After transcribing the interviews, thematic analysis was used to extract themes.
Results: The analysis unveiled six psychological themes, including personality traits, distressing life events, depressive features, relapse due to withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, and desired effects of the drug. Additionally, several social themes emerged, such as ease of access, knowledge about the drug, and social influence.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the multitude of psychosocial factors contributing to an individual's susceptibility to drug use and subsequent abuse, highlighting the imperative to address these factors. The study emphasizes the necessity for multifaceted interventions targeting both the psychological and social determinants that drive drug use.

How to cite this: Fatima M, Gul S. A Qualitative Inquiry into the Psychosocial Determinants of Sedative Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Misuse
among Adults in Islamabad. Life and Science. 2026; 7(2): 238-245. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.673