Psychosocial correlates of alcohol use of adolescents in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objectives of the present study are to determine whether psychosocial factors - health locus of control, self-esteem, gender and age would predict alcohol use among adolescents in Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria. Participants in the study comprised 111 secondary school students, selected by using the purposive sampling procedure from two co-educational secondary schools in Nsukka. There were 66 male and 45 female students in the sample (mean age = 14.52 years; SD = 3.98). Three self-report measures were administered to participants in their classrooms. The study was a correlational research; it adopted the cross-sectional design in which participants were asked questions about the quantity and frequency of alcohol they use. Pearson’s Correlation and Multiple Regressions and Correlation (MRC) were the preferred statistics used to analyze the data. Results show that health locus of control, self esteem and gender negatively predicted alcohol use in the sample, while age positively predicted the behaviour (alcohol use) among adolescents. The findings suggest that alcohol use among adolescents in Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria was higher in adolescents with adjustment difficulties. Suggestion for further research was highlighted.

Keywords: Adolescents; Alcohol use; Binge drinking; Nsukka, Nigeria; Psychosocial correlates