Family Functioning, Self- Esteem and Peer Pressure as Predictors of Substance Abuse among In-School Adolescents in Lafia Metropolis, Nasarawa State

Abstract

The prevalence of substance abuse among in-school adolescents has been on the increase thus causing concern to many health professionals. Studies have investigated this problem using different predictors with varying results. This study investigates family functioning, peer pressure and self-esteem as predictors of substance abuse among in-school adolescents in Lafia metropolis, Nasarawa State. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design while purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 414 in-school adolescents using validated questionnaires. Data were analysed using t-test of independent samples and multiple regression analysis. Four hypotheses were generated and tested at a p < 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that family functioning, peer pressure and self-esteem jointly predicted substance abuse among in-school adolescents (R²= .037, F [3, 407] = 3.61, p < .05). The result further showed that peer pressure significantly influenced substance abuse among in-school adolescents [t (411) = 3.67, p < .05] such that in-school adolescents with high peer pressure (M = 23.67, SD = 12.55) reported significantly higher in substance abuse than those with low peer pressure (M = 19.10, SD = 12.10). However, family functioning and self-esteem did not significantly influence substance abuse among study participants. The study concluded that peer pressure tends to be a strong predictor of substance abuse among in-school adolescents. Therefore, it is recommended that parents and other significant others should monitor their children with types of friends they are going out with to avoid being lured to substance abuse.