INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY DIMENTIONS AND FAMILY COMMUNICATION PATTERNS ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG CHRISLAND UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES
Abstract
The most distinctive attribute of humans is their ability to communicate. Substance use among Nigerian youths has become a major concern, yet limited studies have explored how both personality dispositions and family communication jointly influence such behaviors. There are communicative patterns that define human – personality dimensions, which has continued to attract research focus. This study examined the impact of personality traits and family communication patterns on substance abuse tendencies among undergraduates of Chrisland University, Abeokuta. The study adopted cross-sectional design.311 undergraduates were selected through convenience sampling from different colleges and levels at Chrisland University, Abeokuta. Standardisedinstruments: Big Five Personality Inventory, Family Communication Pattern Scale, and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20) were tested. Data were subjected to correlation, multiple regression, and independent samples t-tests analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Family communication patterns significantly predicted substance abuse tendencies (F(2, 308) = 6.22, R² = .04, p < .05), with conversation-oriented communication showing a protective role. Personality traits significantly influenced substance abuse (F(5, 307) = 4.86, R² = .07, p < .05).Neuroticism (β = .301, p < .001) and openness (β = .117, p < .05) emergedas the strongest predictors of substance abuse. Personality traits and family communication patterns jointly predicted substance abuse (F(7, 305) = 5.34, R² = .11, p < .05). Gender differences were not statistically significant (t(309) = –0.58, p > .05), suggesting that both males and females were equally vulnerable. These findings highlight the importance of personality dispositions and family communication styles in shaping substance use tendencies among undergraduates. Thereis need for preventive interventions that integrate personality-focused and family-based approaches within Nigerian university communities.
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