PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE AND ABUSE OF DRUGS AMONG ADOLESCENTS OF ABUSED PARENTS FROM SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the psychosocial risk factors influencing the use and abuse of drugs among adolescents of abused parents from selected households in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria.  The study adopted the descriptive survey, using 281 adolescents randomly selected from selected households in five local government areas of Ibadan metropolis.  The two instruments used were author-constructed questionnaires with 0.78 and 0.74 reliability coefficients respectively.  The data obtained were analyzed using chi-square (X²) analysis.  Results obtained from this study showed that there are significant relationships between psychological risk factors (X² = 121.5, df = 8, P <.05), social risk factors (X² = 40.7, df = 6, P <.05) and the use and abuse of drugs among adolescents of abused parents.  Based on these findings, it was recommended that: mental health centres and social agencies be established exclusively for drug abusers, where they may offer short or long term therapy, or offer group sessions for counselling the drug abusers.