Personality Traits, Perceived Stress and Social Network as Predictors of Alcohol Addiction among Youths in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The challenge of alcohol use among youths  has been on the increase and the problems are manifested to the individual, the family and the society at large. One such problem is alcohol addiction which has been investigated using different predictors with varying results. Therefore, this study re-examines personality traits, perceived stress and social network as predictors of alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design while data was collected from 384 youths (males 282, females 102) using validated questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using zero-order correlation, t-test of independent samples and multiple regressions analysis. Four questions were tested and the results were accepted at a p < 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that personality traits (r = 0.168, p < 0.05) and social network (r = .057, p < 0.05) positively correlated with alcohol addiction while perceived stress negatively correlated with alcohol addiction [r = - 0.029, p < .05]. Also, the result revealed that perceived stress significantly influenced alcohol addiction among youths (t [383] = 0.213, p <. 0.05). However, social networks did not significantly influence alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan (t [382] = .026, p >. 05). Finally, the results showed the combined effect of personality traits, perceived stress and social network as joint predictors of alcohol addiction among youths in Ibadan [R2= .125, F [5, 378] = 10.771, p < .05). The study concluded that personality traits, perceived stress and social network are good predictors of alcohol addiction among the study participants. The study recommended that mental health workers should carried out personality profiling, used stress therapy and design targeted adverts to help youths who are suffering from alcohol addiction.