The Challenges of Socio-Psychological Factors as Correlates of Adolescent Students’ Cigarette Smoking In Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated adolescent students’ cigarette smoking behaviour as correlates of the challenges socio-psychological factors in Cross River State. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 200 participants across the state who were male and female. Their ages ranged between 14 and 19 years with a mean average of 16.5 years and standard devotion of 2.53. Two validated instruments: Smoking behaviour inventory (SBI) and APDI were used to collect data from the participants. Data analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between adolescent students’ cigarette smoking and socio-psychological factors. It was found that peer group, self-concept and smoker-parents significantly impacted on the adolescent students cigarette smoking behaviour. Based on the outcome of the study, the need to mount counseling intervention programme was advocated. Such intervention should be targeted at providing psychological support among other.

Key words: socio-psychological factors self-concept, psychological support, peer group influence.