CORRELATION BETWEEN LEVELS OF EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND RELAPSE RISK AMONG CLIENTS IN DRUG TREATMENT CENTERS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The study examined the correlation between levels of emotional regulation and relapse risk among clients in drug treatment centers in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Statement of the Problem: Despite the increasing number of rehabilitation programs and awareness campaigns on substance use in Kenya, relapse rates remain high, estimated between 40% and 60% globally. In Kiambu County, many clients’ completing treatment often relapse shortly after discharge, suggesting gaps in psychological preparedness and emotional control. While existing studies have explored social and environmental predictors of relapse, limited attention has been given to emotional regulation as a determinant of treatment success and long-term abstinence.
Methodology: The study adopted a correlational research design integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A census sampling method was employed, targeting all 162 clients in their final month of treatment across fifteen NACADA-accredited drug treatment centers in Kiambu County. Quantitative data were collected using standardized tools including the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE) scale, while qualitative insights were gathered through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses to establish the relationship between emotional regulation and relapse risk.
Findings: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between emotional regulation and relapse risk (r = -0.469, p < 0.05), indicating that higher emotional regulation skills are associated with a lower likelihood of relapse. Regression analysis further showed that combined measures of emotional awareness and regulation significantly predicted relapse risk (F (2,157) = 22.257, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study concludes that emotional regulation plays a critical role in sustaining recovery among clients in treatment for substance use disorders. Clients with higher emotional awareness and control were better equipped to manage stress and resist relapse triggers, while those with limited regulation were more vulnerable to relapse after treatment.
Recommendations: The study recommends that treatment centers should integrate structured emotional regulation training into rehabilitation programs to strengthen clients’ coping capacity and resilience. Additionally, government agencies and policymakers should develop guidelines emphasizing emotional regulation as a core component of addiction treatment. Further interventional research is recommended to examine how enhancing emotional regulation impacts relapse prevention and to extend the investigation to clients with behavioral addictions.
Keywords: Emotional regulation, emotional awareness, relapse risk, substance use disorder, Kiambu County, Kenya.
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