PERCEIVED CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS PREDICTORS OF VIOLENCE TENDENCIES AMONG UNDERGRADUATES.

Abstract

This study examined childhood trauma and substance abuse as predictors of violence tendencies among undergraduates at Federal University Oye-Ekiti. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 305 undergraduates using standardized questionnaires measuring childhood trauma, substance abuse, and violence tendencies. Data were analysed using Pearson product-moment correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between substance abuse and violence tendencies (r = .402, p < .001). Childhood trauma also had a significant positive relationship with substance abuse (r = .244, p < .001) but showed a weak, non-significant relationship with violence tendencies (r = .091, p > .05). Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that substance abuse significantly predicted violence tendencies (β = .404, p < .05), whereas childhood trauma did not make a significant independent contribution (β = –.007, p > .05). Furthermore, gender and level of study did not significantly influence violence tendencies (p > .05), while religion had a significant influence on violence tendencies (F (2,302) = 5.456, p < .05), with students practising Traditional religion reporting the highest mean violence tendency scores. The findings support the study's theoretical framework, suggesting that substance abuse directly contributes to violent behaviour, whereas the influence of childhood trauma may be indirect through maladaptive coping mechanisms. The study concluded that substance abuse is the strongest predictor of violence tendencies among undergraduates. It recommended that universities strengthen substance abuse prevention programmes, counselling services, and trauma-informed interventions to reduce violent behaviours and promote students' psychological well-being.