Benue State University, Makurdi

EXPLORING PARENTING STYLES AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AS PREDICTORS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS

Aki B. D, Oibiokpa M. O Joyce M. T., Hembah S. N., Chiahemba M.D., and Oguda T.F.

Abstract

This research investigates parenting styles and cognitive functioning as predictors of substance abuse among secondary school students in Makurdi Local Government Area. A cross-sectional survey design was used for the study. The researcher used 250 secondary school students which comprises 133 (53.2%) males and 117(46.8%) females. The study used the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-28), Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ,) and Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (CAQ). Three hypotheses were formulated and tested using regression analysis. The result from the first hypothesis showed that parenting styles significantly predicted substance abuse among secondary school students in Makurdi F(1, 248)=6.536; P<.01]. The second hypothesis indicated that cognitive functioning significantly predicted substance abuse among secondary school students in Makurdi F(1, 248)=5.186; P<.05]. From the third hypothesis, it was shown that parenting styles and cognitive functioning jointly and significantly predicted substance abuse among secondary school students in Makurdi F(1, 247)=7.598; P<.01]. The findings of this study were discussed in line with other studies and conclusions were drawn. It was recommended among others that Clinicians in collaboration with the government should develop and evaluate interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting practices and enhancing cognitive skills in adolescents as a preventive measure against substance abuse, that School owners should Implement school-based screening programs to identify at-risk secondary school students based on their parenting environment, cognitive functioning, and early signs of substance use as early detection allows for timely intervention and support services to mitigate the risk of substance abuse.

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