Some Correlates of Substance Use among Public Secondary School Students in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the variables (Family relationship, Family structure and Family socio-economic status) associated with substance use among public school students in Lagos state Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive survey design to elicit information from the students. Three hundred and forty-eight adolescents randomly selected from three secondary schools participated in the study. The ages of the participants ranged from 12 to 18 (Mean = 15.85 years). Standardized instruments were used to measure the independent and dependent variables. Results from the study show that two of the independent variables (Family relationship and Family structure) had significant correlation with substance use of these participants, whereas, family socio-economic status did not show correlation with substance use. Again, the results from the study show that the independent variables jointly contributed to substance use among the adolescents (a multiple correlation square (R 2) of 0.362). This implies that 36.2% of the total variance in substance use of the participants is accounted for by the combination of the three independent variables. Recommendations for the study among others, include the need to forge strong relationship between parents and their children irrespective of the family structure. Also operating open and flexible family relationship that encourages a feeling of being integral parts of the family should be encouraged.