Family Disruption and Adolescent Outcomes: Examining Chemistry Performance, Substance Use, and Peer Relationships among Secondary School Students in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This study examined the effects of family disruption on chemistry performance, drug use, and peer relationships among 100 Senior Secondary School 3 students from two public schools in Akure South LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Aims: The study examined the relationship between family disruption and chemistry performance and drug use, and determined gender differences in peer relationships among students from broken homes.

Method: Using a cross-sectional survey design with multistage sampling, data were collected via the Survey on the Effects of Family Disruption and Chemistry Performance: Drug Use and Peer Relationships (α = 0.80) and analyzed using chi-square, Spearman rho, and t-tests at p < .05 significance.

Results: Results revealed a significant association between broken homes and chemistry performance, χ²(25, N = 100) = 50.05, p = .002, and a strong positive correlation with drug use, rs(100) = .671, p < .001, rejecting H₀₁ and H₀₂. However, no gender differences emerged in peer relationship reactions, t(98) = 0.75, p = .457, accepting H₀₃.

Conclusion: Findings confirm family disruption as a critical risk factor impairing chemistry performance and increasing substance abuse vulnerability among Nigerian secondary students, irrespective of gender. Recommendations include school counselling, academic support, drug-use awareness and prevention for students, parent and caregiver engagement in students' academic and social development, teacher training, and peer mentoring to mitigate these effects and enhance science education equity.

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