Influence of sensation-seeking and impulsivity on drug use among youths in Ibadan

Abstract

In this study, a cross-sectional approach was used to examine the relationships between sensationseeking and impulsivity on drug misuse using 200 participants. The study was conducted within Ibadan among youths especially adolescence who completed questionnaires assessing the influence of sensation-seeking and impulsivity on drug misuse. Results indicated that sensation-seeking and impulsivity as predicted in the first hypothesis independently and jointly influenced drug misuse among youths F (2, 197) = 22.9, p <.001. The second hypothesis which predicted gender difference in drug misuse was confirmed with males misusing more drugs than females t (198) = 1.929, p <. 05. Finally youths that scored high on both sensation seeking and impulsivity were more likely than low sensation seekers and impulsivity, to have misused drugs F (1, 196) =13.022, p <.001. These findings were discussed in line with literature support and recommendations given to checkmate excessive drug misuse by youths.

Key Words: Drug misuse, impulsivity, sensation-seeking and youths.