FAMILY DYSFUNCTION AND PERCEIVED PEER PRESSURE AS PREDICTORS OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG IN-SCHOOL-ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Substance use has been found to be a major public health concern globally with serious psycho-social problems especially among in-school adolescents in Nigeria. The study therefore establishes how family dysfunction and perceived peer-pressure influenced substance use among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.  This research adopted a cross sectional research design and data was collected using questionnaire from a sample size of 1,069( Females 547, Males-522)  respondents. The settings of the  (Lagelu and Ibadan North East Local Government, Ibadan) were selected through purposive sampling while the secondary schools and participants’ selection were achieved through simple random sampling technique. Three multidimensional scales were adopted in the study and were further developed into a self-reported questionnaire. The scales are: Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), Perceived Peer Pressure Scale and The Brief Measure of The Relationship Dimension in Family Functioning. Three hypotheses were developed and tested in the study. The results showed that peer pressure had significant influence on substance use behaviour among in-school adolescents [t (1067) = 15.41; p < .01]. Further, in-school adolescents with high peer pressure reported significantly higher on substance use behaviour (Mean = 43.38; SD = 8.29) compared to those with low level of peer pressure (Mean = 34.62; SD = 7.44). Moreover, family dysfunction had significant influence on substance use behaviour among in-school adolescents [t (1067) = 23.71; p < .01]. Further, in-school adolescents with high family dysfunction reported higher on substance use behaviour (Mean = 45.15; SD = 7.40) compared to those with low level of family dysfunction (Mean = 34.10; SD = 6.29). It is also shown that peer pressure and family dysfunction were significant joint predictors of substance use behaviour [R = .90; R2 = .81; F (2, 1066) = 1618.01; p < .01]. Collectively, peer pressure and family dysfunction accounted for about 81% variance in substance use behaviour. However, only family dysfunction had independent influence on substance use behaviour [β = .87; t = 38.13; p < .01].  This study concluded that family dysfunction and perceived peer pressure significantly predicted substance use.  Based on the results of this study, it was therefore recommended that parental monitoring should be put in place by the parents of in-school adolescents. By knowing their adolescents’ friends. This will engender parents to detect any of their adolescents who could be under peer influence of substance use. Parents are also encouraged to ensure positive parent-adolescents relationship within the family from time to time which fosters connectedness, good communication skills and cordial relationships.  Keywords: Substance Use, family Dysfunction, Peer Pressure, In-school, Adolescents