Effects of happiness and burnout on alcohol and drug abuse among officers of the police force in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Drug abuse as well as its correlates is less researched among law enforcement officers in Nigeria than the general populations. This study examines the prevalence and impact of happiness (authentic and fluctuating) and burnout as psychological predictors of alcohol and drug abuse among officers of the Nigeria Police Force. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 297 Nigerian police officers in Ibadan, Nigeria, with a structured survey tool comprising Authentic Happiness Scale, Burnout Assessment Tool, Drug Use Disorder Identification Test, and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. The results revealed burnout significantly predicted higher levels of alcohol use, β = 0.331, t = 6.350, p < 0.01. Authentic happiness predicted less of alcohol use, β = -0.103, t = 2.073, p < 0.05. Fluctuating happiness predicted higher levels of alcohol use, β = 0.329, t = 6.474, p < 0.01. Additionally, burnout significantly predicted increase in the use of psychoactive drugs, β = 0.339, t = 6.260, p < 0.01. Whereas fluctuating happiness significantly predicted higher levels of drug use, β = 0.276, t = 5.235, p < 0.01, authentic happiness did not significantly predict drug use in this study, β = -0.065, t = 1.256, p > 0.05. The study concluded that low levels of authentic happiness, high levels of fluctuating happiness, and burnout are significant risk factors of substance abuse among Nigerian police officers. The need for targeted interventions to address these psychological factors and improve the overall well-being of police officers is recommended.