Title: Examining the Impact of Social Media Exposure and Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Substance Abuse Susceptibility among Out-Of-School Adolescents in Ibadan Metropolis A Study of Risk Factors and Vulnerabilities in Youth Development
Authors: Gloria Oyeniran
Volume: 8
Issue: 12
Pages: 72-81
Publication Date: 2024/12/28
Abstract:
The study examines the impact of exposure to social media and the presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on susceptibility to substance abuse among out-of-school adolescents in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design was adopted to select 60 participants, which were drawn from Ibadan North, Ibadan North East, and Ibadan Southwest local government areas. The survey instruments were used to collect data on social media exposure, ACEs, and substance abuse susceptibility among out-of-school adolescents. Correlation and regression analyses were used in testing the hypotheses. Results showed that both social media exposure and ACEs significantly and positively related susceptibility to substance abuse. Furthermore, the combined effect of these predictors explained a very substantial percentage of variance in substance abuse, with their contributions being significant. It was then concluded that social media exposure and ACEs combinedly emerged as important predictors of substance abuse among out-of-school adolescents. Interventions could include trauma-informed care and social media education in preventive initiatives. This study contributes to the understanding of how substance abuse plays among adolescents in Nigeria but will shed more light on what psychological mechanisms are at play.