Family, anxiety, and substance use: The mediating role of anxiety in the relationship of family functioning and substance use

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between family functioning and substance use among emerging adults of Central Luzon, Philippines and to know if the relationship were mediated by anxiety. The population consisted of early adult substance users aged 18-25 years who are currently admitted for not more than a month. The study utilized a cross-sectional explanatory non-experimental quantitative design. The results showed that there was no significant association between family functioning and substance use. Further analyses revealed that anxiety did not mediate the relationship between family functioning and substance use among emerging adults. Implications of family functioning, anxiety, and substance use are discussed. Other factors in predicting substance use among emerging adults should be further studied