Stress and Drug usage in Young Adults: Efficacy of Self-Report Measure and Wearable Device in Predicting Stress Levels
Abstract
Background: Stress is a complex and multifaceted process encompassing physiological and psychological dimensions. Young adulthood represents a critical developmental period marked by increased vulnerability to both stress and substance use. Integrating wearable technologies with psychological tools may enhance early detection and prediction of stress-related substance use. This study aimed to examine stress levels among young adults, comparing drug users and non users, and evaluated the congruence between self-reported stress and electroencephalography (EEG)-based physiological indicators.
Methods: A descriptive study with an experimental component was conducted. Two groups; 33 healthy controls with no reported substance use and 37 individuals undergoing rehabilitation for substance use disorders; were examined within an experimental framework using wearable electroencephalography (EEG) headbands. The sample size of 70 participants was determined. Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and substance use severity was assessed using the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20). Results: A positive significant relationship was observed between self-reported stress levels and EEG based physiological stress indicators, suggesting that self-report measures provide valid assessments of perceived stress, while EEG provides an objective, real-time physiological measure of stress. The group comparison was statistically significant and EEG based stress classification achieved an accuracy of 84.8% for healthy controls and 89.1% for substance users, indicating demonstrated high classification performance of wearable neurophysiological data in stress detection. Conclusions: Findings highlighted the value of integrating neurophysiological and psychological measures for comprehensive stress assessment. Wearable EEG combined with machine learning provides a capable neuropsychiatric tool for objective stress assessment and early risk identification in young adults.
Keywords: Stress, Drug Usage, Young Adults, Self-Report Measures, Wearable Devices, EEG, Mental Health
