PEER INFLUENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AS DETERMINANTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated peer influence and psychological distress as determinants of substance abuse among University Students in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was used to select a sample of 150 substance abusers. Their demographic characteristics stands as male 107(70.5%), and female 44 (29.5%). Also, their age ranges from 19-46 years old. In addition to providing demographic data, participants responded to (3) standardized self-report, including socio-demographic questionnaires. Data was analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. On the whole, three hypotheses were formulated and inferentially tested at 0.05 level of significant, using simple linear and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that peer influence significantly predict substance abuse (? = .299, t = 3.890; p <.000). In addition to the finding, psychological distress significantly predicts substance abuse (? = .389, t = 5.233; p<.000). Lastly, result showed that peer influence and psychological distress predict substance abuse (R2 = .325; F (3, 152) = 24.362; p<.000).  Furtherance to this result, observation of coefficient of determination accounted for 32.5% of the total variance observed in substance abuse among University students in Nigeria. Given these results, the study concluded that peer influence and psychological distress significantly predict substance abuse among University students in Nigeria. In this light, workshops should be organized for students in Nigeria on psychosocial factors like peer influence and psychological distress in order to equip students with better life skills.   Key words: Peer pressure, Psychological distress, Substance Use, University Students