Drinking Behaviour among Undergraduates in Adekunle Ajasin University: A Function of Parental Alcohol Use and Personality Traits

Abstract

Youth alcohol consumption, its misuse and abuse are among the most prevalent mental health problems among young adults today. An observation of this behaviour was made amongst both in-and-out of the campus undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University. This study therefore investigated the contextual factors within which this behaviour which is of utmost concern to the university authority occurs, with the aim of proffering solution to the problem. The participants were 240. Males (150), females (90). Hierarchical regression revealed that Parental alcohol use is a causative factor [\(\beta\)=.20, p < .01], personality also significantly predicted this behaviour Extraversion [\(\beta\)=-.03, p< .01], Conscientiousness. [\(\beta\)=.33, p < .01] and Neuroticism [\(\beta\)= .15, p < .05]. Males were found to be more involved in the act. The fresh students or those in lower levels of study also drink more than those in higher levels of study which indicates conformity and immaturity that characterize this age range and generally, poor social skills. Based on these findings, there’s urgent need for psycho-education for these youths and necessary actions taken by the university authority to curb this behaviour.