University and family collaboration in substance abuse intervention in Nigeria: A private university case study

Abstract

This paper reports a qualitative intervention research that utilized narrative inquiry instrument to explore the interface of substance abuse issues, disciplinary dilemmas and family involvement at a private university in Nigeria. Under the framework of the primary socialization theory, results
show that parental involvement, reactions and anticipated consequences were significant factors in substance abuse treatment and prevention among university students. The extended family also emerged as a protective factor for the development of substance abuse behavior amongst university students. This study presents the Family University Substance Abuse Treatment (FUST) as viable guidelines for a collaborative work with families of university students involved with substance
abuse. It is a response to the unique Nigerian dilemma of enrolling students in late adolescence into the adult environment of tertiary institutions and dealing with ensuing deviant behaviours such as substance abuse.

Key Words: Family, socialization theory, private university, qualitative research, intervention