ARE ADOLESCENTS’ NEIGHBOURHOOD AREAS AND PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

Abstract

The issue of substance abuse among the youth population is a global challenge which is dangerous to the lives of young people. However, existing evidence revealed that research emphasis has been on prevalence and the new trends in the substances being abused, to the neglect of the effects of residential neighbourhoods and some other personal factors of victims, which are important for a comprehensive and effective prevention and intervention. This study examined whether neighbourhood effects and other personal factors are capable of predicting substance abuse among adolescents in Nigeria. A sample size of 240 adolescents were randomly selected from private and public schools in Ibadan. A questionnaire on socio-demographic profile, neighbourhood scale, drug abuse scale and Big Five Personality Inventory was administered to the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-test analysis and regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Four hypotheses were tested. The results revealed that neighbourhood effects independently predicted substance abuse. Also, participants who scored high on the neighbouhood satisfaction scale reported lower engagement in substance abuse compared to those who scored low on the scale.  This outcome is necessary to determine the needed intervention to curb the menace of substance abuse among the youth population.  Therefore, counseling centres should be made available in every community and Local Government Areas to assist the youths  who are already addicted to drugs.   Keywords : Substance abuse, Neighbourhood effects,  Personality Factors, Adolescents.