Maurifixiten Kamau Njuru2024-08-142024-08-142024-08-14https://repo.pacuniversity.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4467The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) on alcohol and drug abuse among clients in selected rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County Kenya. The objectives were: to find out the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among ADA (alcohol and drugs) clients in selected rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County; to determine the influence of physical abuse during childhood on alcohol and drug abuse; to evaluate the influence of emotional neglect during childhood on alcohol and drug abuse; to establish the influence of sexual abuse during childhood on alcohol and drug abuse; and to find out the influence of parental separation during childhood on alcohol and drug abuse among clients; and finally, to find out sustainable measurers that would help mitigate the prevalence of ACEs among clients in selected rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County, Kenya. A sample size of 181 clients was selected using Krejcie and Morgan sampling formula (1970) from a total population of 355 clients in the 13 registered rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 5 Lead Counselors and 5 Psychiatric Physicians in the five selected rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County. The Attachment Theory and the Psychoanalytic Social Theory formed theoretical framework for the study. The study used a descriptive survey research design. Method for data collection included: face-to-face interviews and structured questionnaires such as adverse childhood experience questionnaire (ACE-Q). The ACE-Q questionnaire has internal consistency of Cronbach’s alpha of 0.7. The study adhered to content validity that aligned with the objectives of the study. The collected data was analyzed using two approaches; quantitative data which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through the aid of SPSS software Version 26.0 while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The researcher adhered to ethical consideration before embarking on the research such as obtaining informed consent from participants. The results of the study indicated that physical abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse and parental separation/divorce correlated positively with alcohol and drug abuse at (r=0.458, p<0.001; r=0.696, p<0.001; r=0.477, p<0.001 and r=0.627, p<0.001 respectively). Moreover, the study established that 34.6% of ADA among clients in selected rehabilitation centers may be attributable to ACEs. The implication is thus ACEs are potent factors that are precursor to alcohol and drug abuse. Therefore, this study recommends an intense awareness of ACEs as a potent cause of ADA. Moreover, counselors in rehabilitation centers be equipped with skills of addressing ACEs. Further studies to be done on the remaining components of ACEs to establish their effects on ADA among clients in rehabilitation centers in Kiambu County, Kenya. The findings of this study may be of benefit to ADA addicts, families of addicts, psychologists, parents and teachers among others.en-USThesis