CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND SUBSTANCE USE AS PREDICTORS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN LAFIA METROPOLIS, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of childhood trauma and substance use on adolescent’s antisocial behaviour in some selected secondary schools in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Two hundred and nineteen participants with ages ranging from 11-19 years (Mean= 12.32; SD=6.47) were selected using simple random sampling technique. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using simple linear regression and multiple regression analysis. Findings indicated that there was a positive predictive relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent’s antisocial behaviour [r (219) = 0.672, P<0.05] and there was a positive relationship between substance use and adolescent’s antisocial behaviour [r (219) = 0.367, P<0.05]. The findings further indicated that there was a statistically significant joint predictive relationship between childhood trauma, substance use and adolescents’ antisocial behaviour [r (2,217) = 0.714; F = 105.499, P<0.05]. The study recommended among others that, the family and society at large should come up with preventive programmes that will reduce the traumatic experiences of adolescents and also aimed at reducing substance use in order to build responsible behaviour among adolescents. Furthermore, more attention is needed to identify other factors that may be influencing adolescent behaviour among secondary school students.