AN INVESTIGATION OF CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL STABILITY AS PREDICTORS OF STUDY HABIT OF UNDERGRADUATES

AN INVESTIGATION OF CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL STABILITY AS PREDICTORS OF STUDY HABIT OF UNDERGRADUATES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the study

Academic achievement is critical in both school and the learning process. It is regarded as an important factor in determining one’s full potential and capabilities, which are commonly assessed through test results (Ayodele , 2018 and Yenagi& Osborne 2012). It is used to evaluate the educational quality of academic institutions. In reality, it is still the most contentious issue in higher education, causing tremendous anxiety among educators and academics as a result of students’ terrifying test results (Nuthana and Yenagi, 2012). Everyone desires success, as the term implies, but it does not come easily; one must work hard and diligently for it, which can be attained through a healthy study habit (Boehler Mike, 2011). The desire for success is strong.

derived from an individual’s concept of himself and the meaning of various incentives as they spell success and failure in the eyes of others; the desire for success is derived from an individual’s concept of himself and the meaning of various incentives as they spell success and failure in the eyes of others; the desire for success is derived from an individual’s concept of himself and the meaning of various incentives as they spell success and failure in the eyes of others; the desire for success is derived from an individual’s concept of himself and the meaning of (Boehler M. 2011).

Study habits are defined as a pattern of behavior acquired by students while studying that serves as a learning vehicle. It describes the extent to which

A student engages in regular acts of studying that are defined by proper studying routines (e.g., content reviews, frequency of studying sessions, etc.) and take place in a conducive learning environment (Crede and Kuncel, 2013). In conclusion, students’ study habits are influenced by their time management skills, work techniques, attitudes toward instructors, mental stability, drug use, and acceptance of education.

According to a review of the literature, students’ study habits are critical to their academic success. According to Rana and Kausar (2011), many students fail not because they lack aptitude, but because they lack proper study skills. Students who struggle in school typically lack appropriate study habits, which has a negative impact on their academic progress. Many of these children had never learned how to take effective notes.

or manage their study time, which was deemed a major issue (Mutsotso and Abenga, 2010). Furthermore, Nagaraju Amos (2014) claims that students rarely devote enough time to their studies and have poor study habits. Efficient study habits are associated with a positive attitude toward learning in general. Academic achievement is positively related to Otto and Dronge’s (2018) beliefs about the importance of intellectual pursuits and the importance of education. A variety of factors influence study habits, but this study will focus on drug use and mental health.

Undergraduate drug abuse has become an embarrassment to parents, schools, government officials, and the general public in Nigerian higher education institutions (Obiamaka M.H, 2014). This group’s drug use is consistent.

Adolescents may develop mental illnesses (Obiamaka M.H, 2014). One can only hope that this heinous practice and its consequences do not result in the birth of mentally ill and insane children. This concern is not theoretical, given the frequent and widespread drug crises in many Nigerian educational institutions. Several studies have also found that substance abuse is a factor in students’ poor study habits (Hollister and McGrath, 2016).

Substance abuse and mental health problems are complicated by medical, social, cultural, and other factors, and are not solely a medical or moral issue. According to Hollister and McGrath (2016), people accept the use of certain substances or narcotics under certain conditions as benign and even good behavior.

It is related to both societal and individual contexts. The use of medications such as Benylin with codeine and Tutolin with codeine for medical reasons such as whooping cough is not drug abuse; it only becomes abuse when it is aimed at developing desirable behaviors, physical dependence, addiction, and/or causing a societal nuisance (ObiamakaM.H, 2014). According to Abdullahi Mustapha (2013), the term “drugs” refers to marijuana, alcohol, and traditional alcoholic beverages like Ogogoro, Burukutu, Fito, and Bammi.

Nigerians use drugs in the same way that people from other countries do. Nigerians, like the rest of the world’s population, use narcotics when the situation demands it. Drugs are misused in Nigeria simply because they are taken without proper supervision.

permission from properly authorized and registered personnel, who must allow their use in accordance with national laws.

Several studies on drug use and illness behavior among Nigerians back up this conclusion (Obiamaka M.H, 2014). According to Okonkwo Ibeh (2015), the most commonly abused drugs in Nigeria are marijuana, amphetamines, mandrax, proplus, barbiturates, and codeine, and they have negative consequences for students, youths, the immediate society, and Nigeria in general. Students, who make up Nigeria’s workforce and future, are unfortunately disproportionately affected. 2013 (Abdullahi Muhammed) (Abdullahi Muhammed). According to the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sport in 2010, Nigerian youths aged 10 to 30 years make up approximately 49 percent of the country’s population. According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (2010), approximately 38% of Nigerians are addicted to drugs.

Drugs are used by teenagers. According to Abang Adani (2016), many types of young people (both male and female) in modern Nigeria are addicted to drugs, which is the most commonly mentioned factor in mental instability.

The World Health Organization’s (2012) definition of mental stability includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational reliance, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential. According to Abang Adani (2016), a person’s mental stability is defined by their ability to realize their potential, deal with everyday life challenges, work productively, and contribute to their society.

According to the World Health Organization (2017), mental stability is defined as the effective execution of mental functions that leads to productive activities, meaningful relationships with others, and the ability to adapt to change.

ymanage adversity. As a result, the researcher believes that mental stability in children is essential for academic success. The numerous effects of substance abuse and mental health on students’ study habits and, as a result, academic achievement have been established by research findings. Substance abuse and mental stability, as opposed to other determinants of study habits, are the most important concerns to address in students’ study habits because they have a significant impact on human cognitive performance. As a result, research into the causes of drug abuse and mental stability as predictors of undergraduate study habits is being conducted.

1.2 Definition of the problem

According to the World Health Organization (2013), 22.1 percent of students use drugs. As the country transitions from a drug-consuming to a drug-free state, an increasing number of Nigerian students are becoming addicted to drugs. to a drug-producing state. It is no longer news that students are abusing substances like heroin and cocaine, which will inevitably have an impact on their mental health. Other narcotics commonly found in schools include Indian hemp, which is widely grown in Nigeria, as well as methamphetamine and codeine intoxication tablets (Moses Cornmanne, 2012). Despite this societal context, no research on drug misuse and mental stability as determinants of study habits among Nigerian students has been conducted, necessitating this study. Illicit drug use has a negative impact on undergraduate students’ study habits. There are an estimated 500,000 undergraduate drug users in Nigerian universities today. No academic institution in Nigeria is immune, and no student is truly immune (Alabi Damina, 2012). It is well known that drug addicts have impaired cognitive abilities.

Performance in terms of cognition. Based on these facts, the researcher sees a need to investigate the causes of drug abuse and mental stability as predictors of undergraduate study habits.

1.3 The research’s objectives

The general goal of this study is to investigate the causes of drug abuse and mental stability as predictors of undergraduate study habits, while the specific goals are as follows:

i. To investigate the factors that contribute to undergraduate drug abuse.

ii. To investigate the impact of drug abuse on the mental stability of undergraduate students.

iii. To assess the extent to which mental stability influences undergraduate study habits.

iv. To suggest methods for reducing drug abuse in order to maintain mental stability.

and good study habits of undergraduate students.

1.4 Investigational questions

The following are the study’s research questions:

i. What are the factors that contribute to undergraduate drug abuse?

ii. How does drug abuse affect the mental stability of undergraduate students?

iii. To what extent does mental stability influence undergraduate study habits?

iv. What are the methods for reducing drug abuse among undergraduate students in order to promote mental stability and good study habits?

1.5 Importance of the research

The findings of this study are important to the following groups.

Students will be educated and enlightened about the impact of drug abuse and mental stability on their study habits and academic success.

Parents’ Experiences

This study will serve as a guide for parents in coordinating their children’s drug-abuse prevention efforts; it will also ensure mental stability in order to ensure good study habits and academic success.

School: This study will inform school administrators about the extent to which drug use and abuse, as well as mental stability, can predict students’ study habits and academic success.

Nation: The findings of this study will inform policymakers and the general public about the contributions of both drug abuse and mental stability to undergraduate study habits. As a result, this will serve as a guide for the policy framework on drug abuse prevention and mental health maintenance among undergraduates.

Researchers: This study will also serve as a resource for other scholars and researchers interested in the topic.

Further research in this field, if applied, will go a long way toward providing a new explanation for the topic.

1.6 The scope of the research

This study will look into the factors that lead to undergraduate drug abuse. The research will also look into the impact of drug abuse on the mental health of undergraduate students. The study will investigate the extent to which mental stability influences undergraduate study habits. Finally, the study will recommend ways to reduce drug abuse in order to improve undergraduate students’ mental stability and study habits. As a result, this research will be limited to Redeemers University. The state of Ogun

1.7 The study’s limitations

As with any other research, the lack of required accurate materials on

The researcher encountered constraints in the cause of this study, including the topic under study and the inability to obtain data. The researcher faced financial constraints in obtaining relevant materials as well as printing and collating questionnaires. Furthermore, time is a constraint because the researcher must shuttle between writing the research and engaging in other academic work, which makes the researcher uncomfortable.

1.8 Definitions of terms

Drug abuse is defined as the excessive and persistent self-administration of a drug against medically or culturally accepted patterns.

The behaviors used when learning academic material and preparing for academic examinations are referred to as study habits.

Mental stability is defined as a state of cognitive and psychological well-being in which each individual can work productively and independently.

fruitfully.

Undergraduates are university students who have not yet completed their first degree.