PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTH IN KEFFI,NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the psychosocial correlates of substance abuse among youths in Keffi Local Government area of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The participants were a total of 204. With an average age of twenty-six (26) years were drawn .However, the selected sample comprised of 160 Christians and 44 Muslims students from both senior secondary school SS1 to SS3 and university students from 100 to 400 levels. Furthermore, in terms of gender, the study is comprised of one hundred and thirty-nine (139) males and sixty-five (65) females. A self-report questionnaire was employed to assess the relationship between substance abuse and two factors, namely: self-esteem and religiosity. The results of the regression model summary revealed that there was no relationship between religiosity and substance abuse. The major findings showed that there was a significant positive relationship between self-esteem and substance abuse among youth. These findings were discussed in the light of relevant literature and it was recommended that stakeholders create awareness and interventions on these psychosocial factors that increase susceptibility to substance abuse among Keffi youths to stop the menace.

Keyword: substance abuse, self-esteem , Youth,  religiosity, Keffi