Substance use among youths: roles of psychoticism, social alienation, thriving and religious commitment

The rising levels of drug abuse among youths in the world require evidence-based, cost effective and research-informed intervention strategies. These strategies will need to be formulated around observed socio-demographic and psychosocial characteristics of youths who abuse drugs. This paper presents reports of two studies which investigated the roles of psychoticism, social alienation, religious commitment, and thriving in drug abuse among secondary school students (n = 293, 53% males) and undergraduates (n = 300, 76% males) students in southeastern Nigeria. The emerging psychoactive substances of abuse among the students were also explored. Participants completed measures of the relevant variables and provided their demographic information. Psychoticism and social alienation were positively significant predictors of substance abuse among secondary school students, while thriving and religious commitment were negatively significant predictors of substance abuse among university undergraduates. It was suggested that psychological factors such as psychoticism, social alienation, thriving and religious commitment be considered in drug use policies and intervention programmes for young persons in Nigeria.Keywords: adolescents, drug abuse, intervention, prevention, psychoticism, thrivin

Prospectus, February 1, 1974

THE NEWEST TEMPEST…HOW TO DIVIDE NINE MONTHS; Parkland Debaters Capture First, Fourth; \u27Chip\u27 Johnson Accepts Position In Minnesota; Jo Ann Nelson Seeks Seat On Democratic Committee; U of I Visitation Day February 8; Prospectus In Perspective; The Short Circuit; Cruisin\u27 \u2774; The Tapes, The Presidency; Authorization To Issue Parking Tickets Granted; Campus Life; Behind the Books; Parkland College Association Format And Function; Local Birthday Celebration For Kripal Singh; Help Form A Car Pool; Characteristics Of 1972-73 Parkland Freshmen; Joni Mitchell Concert Provided Perfect Evening; Dylan Arrives Home With Unique Honest Concert; Joe Stocks Scholarship; A Column By And For Women; WCIA\u27s Ann Anderson Visits P/C; Women Are Guinea Pigs For New Drug; It\u27s ERA Time Again!; For Cheap Organic Beer: Successful Home Brewing; Panic Buying Causes TP Business Upset; Spanish Students Hold Fiesta; Matahambre (Stuffed Steak); Blood Needed; Action Postponed On 1974-75 Calendar; Annexation Resolution Passed; US Birth Rate Approaches ZPG; Personnel Report; Western Illinois Offers Scholarship; Vet Ventures!; Illinois To Cause Nixon To Resign?; Classified Ads; P/C To Have Musical If Enough Interest Is Shown; Questionnaire For Musical; University Events; All-Star Concert To Be Held Sunday; Student Government; Monday\u27s Coach: Two In A Row, Great Chicago Fire, Purdue.......or who?, Tidbits; Thinclads Gain Victory In Invitational; IM Basketball Tourney; Grapplers Nosed Out Danville; SIU Representative On Campus; Cobra Cager; Cobra Cagers Net Second Conference Win; Bouncing Bob\u27s Basketball Bonanza; Todd Wins First \u27Bouncing Bob\u27; Smokin\u27 Joe\u27s Fire Extinguished By Ali; Bowling Bulletin Board; Bridge; Canoe Trip; Callboard; Register To Vote Here February 4; Textbook Author Speaks To Class; Vet\u27s Legislation Pending; Parkland Events; Wright College Offers Study In Europe; Campus Insurance; President\u27s Report; Program Reports; Turtle Troubles; Peace Corps And Vista Reps To Be Herehttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1974/1021/thumbnail.jp