Academic Disengagement, Socioeconomic Status, and Peer Pressure as Predictors of Smoking Behaviour among Adolescents in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State

Abstract

Smoking among adolescents remains a critical public health concern, influenced by a combination of personal, social, and environmental factors. This study examined the relationships between academic disengagement, socioeconomic status, peer pressure, and smoking behaviour among adolescents in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive correlational design, a sample of 113 adolescents was selected through multi-stage sampling. Standardized instruments measured academic disengagement, socioeconomic status, peer pressure, and smoking behaviour. Results indicated significant positive correlations between smoking behaviour and academic disengagement (r = .54, p < .01), peer pressure (r = .58, p < .01), and socioeconomic status (r = .41, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the three variables jointly accounted for 56% of the variance in smoking behaviour (R² = .56, F(3, 109) = 46.21, p < .01), with peer pressure (β = .31) contributing the most, followed by academic disengagement (β = .29) and socioeconomic status (β = .21). The findings underscore the multidimensional nature of adolescent smoking behaviour, highlighting the need for interventions that simultaneously address academic engagement, peer influence, and socioeconomic challenges. Implications for counselling, school-based prevention programmes, and community support structures are discussed.