Evaluating the Relationships Between Demographic, Level of Drug Use and Self Esteem Among Female Students in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Starting the early 1990s, the prevalence of nonmedical prescription drug use in Nigeria has been increased, especially among college students. Potential adverse effects such as poor academic performance and low self-esteem are known. The research is aimed but it is not understood whether demographics (age, socioeconomic level, educational level, and history of mental illness), level of drug use and self-esteem are related to drug use for female college students. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study of a cross-sectional nature was to determine if there were predictive relationships between level of drug use (as measured by the Drug Abuse Screening Test [DAST], and self-esteem (as measured by the Modified Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [MRSES] in female students in Kaduna in Nigeria. The theoretical framework was provided by the psychology of self-esteem theory, social learning theory, and identity theory. Primary data from a purposeful convenience and snowball sample of 300 female undergraduates (age 18-25) enrolled in three colleges was used to analyze data. The results of the multiple linear regression indicated that history of mental illness (p = .012) and DAST score (p = .000) were related to the MRSES score at statistically significant levels. Because the independent variables (level of drug use) were not related to the dependent variable (self-esteem) at a statistically significant level, the null hypothesis was not rejected. The results from this study could provide justification for college administrators to plan appropriate social, health, educational programs, and policies that could assist college students at risk of nonmedical prescription drug use and guide students in making right health choices and decisions. The research recommends that these investigations could inform the development of educational materials and methods/strategies toward stemming, minimizing and possibly preventing the risk of Non-Medical Prescription Drugs (NMPDU) among college students over the lifetime of their college careers and after.