Substance Abuse among Students: The Intervening Roles of Peer Pressure and Depression in Nigeria

Caleb Onah¹

1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.9 , Issue.1 , pp.11-18, Jan-2023

Online published on Jan 31, 2023

Copyright © Caleb Onah . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

413 Views    200 Downloads    60 Downloads

Abstract :
This study examines the effects of peer pressure and depression on substance abuse among undergraduate students at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. This study used a cross-sectional investigation design. 188 undergraduate students from the University of Lagos participated in the study. Data were collected using the Peer Pressure Inventory, Substance Abuse Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. The statistical analysis used were descriptive statistics, simple linear and multiple regression. Hypothesis showed that, [F (1,186) = 201.343, R=.721 and R2=.520], hypothesis two revealed that [F(1,186) = 36.371, R =.742 and R2 =.551] and hypothesis three showed that, [F(2,185)=136.840, R=.772 and R2=.597]. This study concludes that peer pressure and depression significantly influence undergraduate of University of Lagos, Nigeria. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that good counselors be employed in schools to take care of students who cannot cope., in order to reduce their level of depression which makes them to get involved in substance misuse. Also, parents and teachers should encourage the students on the kind of peers they keep so that instead of involving in bad attitude, they will live a life that will be acceptable in their family, school and the society at large.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Substance Misuse, Peer Pressure, Drugs, Mental Health, Depression, Nigeria

References :
[1]. Y.A. Kazeem, “National Survey has confirmed the Massive Scale of Nigeria’s Drug Problem,” Quartz Africa, 2019.
[2]. National Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), 2018.
[3]. S.K. Balogun, “Chronic Intake of Separate and Combined Alcohol and Nicotine on Body Maintenance among Albinorats,” Journal of Human Ecology, Vol. 19, Issue.1, pp.20-21, 2006.
[4]. M.S. Fawa, “Drug Abuse Eradication Programme in Schools: The Relevance of Team Approach Alternative,” In Garba, A. (ed) Youth and Drug Abuse in Nigeria: Strategies for Counseling, Management and Control. Kano: Matasa Press, Vol.200, Issue.202, pp.20, 2003.
[5]. T. Ogunbiyi, “Nigerian Youth and the Scourge of Drug Addiction. Op. cit. 9. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,” Youth and Drug Abuse in Nigeria, 2008a.
[6]. T. Ogunbiyi, “Nigerian Youth and the Scourge of Drug Addiction,” 2018b.
[7]. P. Lakhanpal, A.K. Agnihotri, “Drug Abuse an International Problem: A short Review with Special reference to African Continent,” Journal of Medicine and Toxicology, Vol.1, Issue.1, pp.1-11, 2007.
[8]. D.F. Oluremi, “Drug Abuse among Nigerian Adolescents strategies for counselling,” Journal of International Social Research, Vol.5, Issue.20, pp.342–347, 2021.
[9]. C.A. Akintunde, E.A. Akintunde, B.D. Gurumyen, “The Social Construction of Drug/Substance Abuse among Youths in Jos, Nigeria,” International Journal of Scientific Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol.6, Issue.12, pp.27-34, 2020.
[10]. O.Y. Oshodi, O.F. Aina, A.T. Onajole, “Substance use among secondary school students in an urban setting in Nigeria: prevalence and associated factors,” African journal of psychiatry, Vol.13, Issue.1, pp.52 – 57, 2010.
[11]. I. Dankani, “Abuse of cough syrups: A new trend in drug abuse in Northwestern Nigerian states of Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi,” International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences, Vol.2, Issue.8, pp.199–213, 2012.
[12]. A.M. Ahmed, “Substance Abuse among Undergraduate Student of Usmadu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto,” Sokoto Journal of the Social Sciences, Vol.2, Issue.1, pp.136–147, 2012.
[13]. A. Jibril, O. Olayinka, B. Omeiza, A. Babantunde, “Psychoactive substance use among children in informal religious schools (Almajiris) in northern Nigeria,” Mental Health, Religion & Culture, Vol.12, Issue.6, pp.527–542, 2008.
[14]. C. Mohammad, “Drug abuse/addicts in schools; the role of school counsellor,” New York Science Journal, Vol.7, Issue.2, pp.62–65, 2014.
[15]. P. Eric, “Socio-economic effects of Drug Abuse among Nigerian Youths,” CSC Canada – Canadian Social Science, Vol.13, Issue.1, pp. 4953, 2017.
[16]. United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, Drug Abuse and Drug Dependence Treatment Situation in Nigeria. UNODC, Data for the year 2007. 2007.
[17]. E.A. Olaleru, R.O. Owolabi, “Peer Influence and School Library Use by Students in Public Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria,” Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, Vol.12, Issue.2, pp.87-101, 2021.
[18]. J.A. Oyeboade, “Socio-Economic Status, Peer Pressure and Use of Social Media by Undergraduate Students in University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria,” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), pp.1495, 2017.
[19]. D. Stuart, “The growing up child,” New York: Palgrave, 2001.
[20]. B.M.D. Rima, “Causes of peer pressure,” 2008.
[21]. K.B. Owens, “Child and adolescent development: An integrated approach,” Belmont: Wadsworth, pp.100-105, 2000.
[22]. S. Burnett, C. Sebastian, K. Cohen Kadosh, & S.J. Blakemore, “The social brain in adolescence: Evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural studies,” Neuroscience and Bio-behavioural Reviews, Vol.35, Issue.1, pp.654–664, 2011.
[23]. L. Steinberg, “A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking,” Developmental Review, Vol.28, Issue.2, pp.78–106, 2008.
[24]. E.T. Bankole, F.C. Ogunsakin, “Influence of peer group on academic performance of secondary school students in Ekiti State,” International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, Vol.4, Issue.1, pp.324-331, 2015.
[24]. A.B. Olalekan, “Influence of peer group relationship on the academic performance of students in secondary schools: A case study of selected secondary schools in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State,” Global Journal of Human-Social Science, Vol.16, Issue.4, 2016.
[25]. A. Weber, Educational psychology (11th ed.) New Jersey: Pearson Education International, pp.205, 2016.
[26]. M. H., et al. Mehrolhassani, “The Concept of Virginity from the Perspective of Iranian Adolescents: A Qualitative Study,” BMC Public Health, Vol.20, Issue.7, pp.17, 2020.
[27]. A.D. Horowitz, E. Bedford, “Graded Structure in Sexual Definitions: Categorizations of Having “Had Sex” and Virginity Loss among Homosexual and Heterosexual Men and Women,” Arch Sex Behav. Vol.46, Issue.6, pp.1653–65, 2017.
[28]. A. Burns, N. Darling, “Peer pressure is not peer influence,” The Education Digest, Vol.68, Issue.4, pp.4, 2002.
[29]. S. Black, “When students push peer influence,” The Education Digest, Vol.68, pp.31-36, 2002.
[30]. A.J. Kirk, “The peer effect on academic achievement among public elementary school students,” Washington: Center for Data Analysis Report, 2000.
[31]. G. Bogani, C. Antonella, S. Maurizio, M. Zelia, A. Chiara, N. Federica, D. Edoardo, G. Fabio, “Impact of school-based educational programs on sexual behaviours among adolescents in Northern Italy,” Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, Vol.41, pp.121–25, 2015.
[32]. W.A. Brechwald, J.P. Mitchell, “Beyond homophily: A decade of advances in understanding peer in?uence processes,” Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol.21, pp.166–79, 2011.
[33]. A.F. Çakmak, H. Sever, “A Survey of Risk-Taking Behaviour of the Police Officers,” International Journal of Scientific Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol.6, Issue.10, pp.48-60, 2020.
[34]. J.A. Fehringer, B. Stella, E.K. Caitlin, J.K. Lusajo, K.M. Jessie, K. Deanna, “Community perspectives on parental in?uence on engagement in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships among youth in Tanzania: Implications for HIV prevention programming,” AIDS Care, Vol.25, Issue.20, pp.7–14, 2013.
[35]. L. Holborn, E. Gali, “First Steps to Healing the South African Family,” New York: McGraw-Hill Publisher, pp.200, 2000.
[36]. D.A. Pardini, R. Leber, M. Stouthamer-Leber, “Developmental shifts in parent and peer influences on boys’ beliefs about delinquent behaviour,” Journal of Research on Adolescence, Vol.15, Issue.3, pp.299-323, 2005.
[37]. B. Bewick, G. Koutsopoulou, J. Miles, E. Slaa, M. Barkham, “Changes in undergraduate students’ psychological wellbeing as they progress through university,” Studies in Higher Education, Vol.35, pp.633-645, 2010.
[38]. D. Gruttadaro, D. Crudo, “College students speak: a survey on mental health,” National Alliance on Mental Health, 2012.
[39]. L. Chen, L. Wang, X.H. Qiu, X.X. Yang, Z.X. Qiao, Y.J. Yang, Y. Liang, “Depression among Chinese university students: prevalence and socio-demographic correlates,” PLoS One, Vol.8, pp.667-672, 2013.
[40]. M.E. DeRosier, E. Frank, V. Schwartz, K.A. Leary, “The potential role of resilience education for preventing mental health problems for college students,” Psychiatric Annals, Vol.43, Issue.12, pp.538-544, 2013.
[41]. D.A. Katerndahl, M. Parchman, “The ability of the stress process model to explain mental health outcomes,” Compr Psychiatry; Vol.43, pp.351–60, 2002.
[42]. R.C. Kessler, P. Berglund, O. Demler, “The epidemiology of major depressive disorder,” JAMA. Vol.289, pp.95–105, 2015.
[43]. R.J. Turner, D.A. Lloyd, “Stress burden and the lifetime incidence of psychiatric disorder in young adults: racial and ethnic contrasts,” Arch Gen Psychiatry; Vol.61, pp.481–488, 2004.
[44]. I. Mirza, “Risk factors, prevalence and treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders in Pakistan: a systematic review,” BMJ; Vol.328, pp.794–797, 2004.
[45]. L.M. Haarasilta, M.J. Marttunen, J.A. Kaprio, H.M. Aro, “Correlates of depression in a representative nationwide sample of adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years),” Eur J Public Health, Vol.14, pp.280–285, 2004.
[46]. C. Muntaner, W.W. Eaton, R. Miech, P. O’Campo, “Socioeconomic position and major mental disorders,” Epidemiol Rev; Vol.26, pp.53–62, 2004.
[47]. K., et al., Shamsuddin, “Correlates of depression, anxiety and stress among Malaysian university students”. Asian J. Psychiatry, Vol.2, Issue.2, 2013.
[48]. World Health Organisation, “Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders Global Health Estimates”. Pp.20-45, 2017.
[49]. O. Gureje, V.O. Lasebikan, “Use of mental health services in a developing country. Results from the Nigerian survey of mental health and well-being,” Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Vol.41, pp.44–49, 2006.
[50]. O. Gureje, V.O. Lasebikan, L. Kola, V.A, Makanjuola, “Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being”. The British Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.188, Issue.5, pp.465-471, 2006.
[51]. World Health Organisation, World suicide prevention day. 2012.
[52]. L.S. Rotenstein, M.A. Ramos, M. Torre, J.B. Segal, M.J. Peluso, C. Guille, . . . D.A. Mata, “Prevalence of depression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Jama, Vol.316, Issue.21, pp.2214-2236, 2016.
[53]. W. Tam, K. Lo, J. Pacheco, “Prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical students: overview of systematic reviews,” Medical education, Vol.53, Issue.4, pp.345-354, 2019.
[54]. Y.J. Tung, K.K.H. Lo, R.C.M. Ho, W.S.W Tam, J.P. Pacheco, H.T. Giacomin, . . . D.A. Mata, “Prevalence of depression among nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Nurse Educ Today, Vol.63, Issue.4, pp.119-129, 2018.
[55]. A.H. Mokdad, M.H. Forouzanfar, F. Daoud, A.A. Mokdad, C. El Bcheraoui, M. Moradi-Lakeh, . . . K. Cercy, “Global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors for young people`s health during 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013,” The Lancet, Vol.387, Issue.1036, pp.2383-2401, 2016.
[56]. T. Richardson, P. Elliott, R. Roberts, M. Jansen, “A longitudinal study of financial difficulties and mental health in a national sample of British undergraduate students,” Community mental health journal, Vol.53, Issue.3, pp.344-352, 2017.
[57]. L. Sun, L.N. Sun, Y.H. Sun, L.S. Yang, H.Y. Wu, D.D. Zhang, . . .. Y. Sun, “Correlations between Psychological Symptoms and Social Relationships among Medical Undergraduates in Anhui Province of China,” Int J Psychiatry Med., Vol.42, Issue.1, pp.29-47, 2011.
[58]. J. Alonso, P. Mortier, R.P. Auerbach, R. Bruffaerts, G. Vilagut, P. Cuijpers, R.A. Gutiérrez?García, “Severe role impairment associated with mental disorders: results of the WHO world mental health surveys international college student project”. Depression and anxiety, Vol.35, Issue.9, pp.802-814, 2018.
[59]. R.P. Auerbach, J. Alonso, W.G. Axinn, P. Cuijpers, D.D. Ebert, J.G. Green, . . . P. Mortier, “Mental disorders among college students in the World Health Organization world mental health surveys,” Psychological medicine, Vol.46, Issue.14, pp.2955-2970, 2016.
[60]. R. Mojtabai, E.A. Stuart, I. Hwang, W.W. Eaton, M. Sampson, R.C. Kessler, “Long-term effects of mental disorders on educational attainment in the National Comorbidity Survey ten-year follow-up,” Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, Vol.50, Issue.10, pp.1577-1591, 2015.
[61]. A.I. Olugbenga-Bello, W.O. Adebimpe, O.L. Abodunrin, “Sexual risk behaviour among in school adolescents in public secondary schools in a southwestern city in Nigeria,” International Journal of Health Research, Vol.2, Issue.3, pp.243–251, 2009.
[62]. A.K. Ibrahim, S.J. Kelly, C.E. Adams, C.A. Glazebrook, “Systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students,” Journal of Psychiatric Research, Vol.47, Issue.3, pp.391–400, 2013.
[63]. A.O. Busari, “Evaluating the relationship between gender, age, depression and academic performance among adolescents,” Scholarly Journal of Education, Vol.1, Issue.1, pp.6-12, 2012.
[64]. A. Hysenbegasi, S.L. Hass, C.R Rowland, “The impact of depression on the academic productivity of university students,” Journal of mental health policy and economics, Vol.8, Issue.3, pp.145, 2005.
[65]. C. Onah, M. Okafor, O. Deborah, “Peer Pressure, Alcohol Use and Drugs Abuse on Anti-Social Behaviour among Youths in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State,” Journal of Counselling and Family Therapy, Vol.1, Issue.2, pp.1-9, 2019. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2656085