Unseen Wounds and Rising Tempers: Exploring the Impact of Childhood Trauma, Peer Pressure, and Low Self-Esteem on Violent Behaviour among Adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the predictive roles of childhood trauma, peer pressure, and low self-esteem on violent dispositions among adolescents in Oyo State, Nigeria. Anchored in the Social Learning Theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design and purposively selected three Local Government Areas: Oyo East, Ogbomosho North, and Saki West, due to their heightened incidence of adolescent violence and social dislocation. A total of 120 adolescents aged 12–18 years were selected using snowball sampling to ensure inclusivity of hard-to-reach participants from both urban and rural communities. Standardised instruments were utilised, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Peer Pressure Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and an adapted Aggression Questionnaire. Reliability of instruments was confirmed via pilot testing, yielding Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.70. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis at a 0.05 significance level. Results revealed significant relationships between the independent variables and violent dispositions. Moreover, childhood trauma, peer pressure, and low self-esteem jointly predicted violent dispositions, with peer pressure emerging as the strongest individual contributor. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of adolescent aggression, underscoring the need for integrated mental health interventions and preventive measures within school and community systems. The study recommends trauma-informed counselling, peer intervention programmes, and self-esteem enhancement strategies. Limitations of the study include reliance on self-reported data and geographic restriction, suggesting the need for longitudinal and mixed-method research across broader populations. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on adolescent psychology and violence prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, offering evidence-based insights for policy, education, and psychosocial support systems.