PROBLEM-SOLVING BEHAVIOUR AND SUBSTANCE USE: THE DIFFERENTIAL MODERATING INFLUENCES OF GENDER AND SOCIOECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE.

The current research seeks to add to the body of existing literature and shed light on the psychological processes by which problem-solving factors influence substance use behaviours, emphasising the need for specific interventions that improve adaptive problem-solving abilities to reduce substance abuse in at-risk youth populations. The research hypotheses tested are: 1) There is no significant relationship between problem-solving behaviour domains and substance use among Nigerian youths. 2) Gender does not significantly moderate the relationship between problem-solving behaviour domains and substance use. 3) Socioeconomic disadvantage does not significantly moderate the relationship between problem-solving behaviour domains and substance use.