Mediating Influence of Self Esteem in the Prediction between Personality Traits and Alcohol Abuse Anong Ebonyi State University Students

Alcohol Abuse among students has become a serious public health issue in Nigeria. Research documentation of alcohol abuse has only been concentrated in the developed world with little or no empirical evidence to account for the perceptions from the developing world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the mediating effect of self esteem in the predictive relationship between personality traits and alcohol abuse among Ebonyi State University students. , Abakalilki. A Cross-sectional survey design was used for the study.

Three hundred and twelve (312) Ebonyi State University students from the faculty of Health Sciences, Presco Campus were selected for this study. They comprised 208 (63.2%) males and 104 (32.3%) females with an age range between 19 years and 33 years. Their mean age was 23.36 which the SD was 6.36.This study made use of multi-stage sampling technique which comprised simple balloting and purposive sampling technique. Measures of the personality traits in this study were based on the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Index of Self-Esteem (ISE) was used to measure global indices of self-esteem and the McAndrew Alcoholism Scale was used to measure destructive drinking.

Results showed that, personality trait significantly predicted alcohol abuse in this manner Extroversion (R= .087; β; 28 p< .01), Agreeableness (R= .087; β; 11, p< .01), Conscientiousness (R= .087; β; .03, p< .01), openness (R= .087; β; .24, p< .01), Finally neuroticism (R= .087; β.32, p< .01). The result also indicated that personality characteristics (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and neuroticism), combined significantly predicted alcohol abuse among Ebonyi State University students (R= .087; β; .33, p< .01). Finally Self-esteem significantly predicted alcohol abuse (β -.14, t -2.99, p< .01). Post-Hoc Sobel test that was conducted reveled that perceive self-esteem significantly mediated the relationship between personality trait and alcohol abuse (Ƶ = 2.31, p., <. 05). Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that academic institutions at all levels should try as much as possible to engage in reward systems that increase student’s propensities which will enhance the psycho-emotional perspectives of the students and able to cope with social pressures with campuses, and also effort should be made to reduce to minimal access to alcoholic beverages within the university environment. Also, symposiums and seminars including workshops should be organized to sensitize and students at all levels on social acceptable best practices. Also, therapies and interventions should be conducted for students who report or show behavioural problems which are linked to alcoholism and abuse of illicit drugs. This study portends several implications for the academia, in that research studies can be harnessed to help in policy formation and implementation concerning the sale and accessibility of alcoholic beverages within university campuses.