Relationship Between Psychopathological Symptoms, Psychoactive Substances, And Antisocial Behaviour Among Undergraduate Students Of The University Of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background Antisocial behaviour and its attendant effect are undesirable as it often negatively impacts individuals, communities, and overall social cohesion. Given that its threat to students' mental health and the smooth operation of post-secondary institutions is global, this unsettling trend has raised serious research concerns among interested stakeholders worldwide. Objective:The study assessed the relationship between psychopathological symptoms, substance abuse, alcohol use, and antisocial behaviour among undergraduate students. Method:The research utilised a cross-sectional survey method with one hundred (100) undergraduates purposively selected as participants. The Psychopathic Deviate scale, Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and Alcohol Screening Questionnaire (AUDIT) were adopted to gather data for the study. Result:The findings showed that there is a significant positive correlation (r = 0.582, p<.01) between substance abuse and antisocial behaviour; additionally, there is a significant positive correlation (r = 0.501, p<.01) between alcohol abuse and antisocial behaviour. Psychopathology factors (somatization, obsessive, interpersonal, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, neuroticism, overall SDC) and antisocial behaviour also show a significant positive correlation at (r = 0.248, p<.05; r = 0.238, p<.05; r = 0.449, p<.01; r = 0.404, p<.01; r = 0.400, p<.01; r = 0.461, p<.01; r = 0.503, p<.01; r = 0.314, p<.01; r = 0.408, p<.01; r = 0.314, p<.01 & r = 0.471, p<.01) respectively. Conclusion:The study concluded that psychopathological symptoms and substance and alcohol abuse are positively associated with antisocial behaviour, thus likely to induce antisocial behaviour among undergraduates in Nigeria.