Parental substance use and adolescent psychiatric symptom profiles in Lagos, Nigeria: school-based cross-sectional study.

Authors

Abiodun O Adewuya, Olabisi E Oladipo, Arit E Esangbedo

Published in

BJPsych open. Volume 12. Issue 6. Pages e257. Oct 13, 2026. Epub Oct 13, 2026.

Abstract

Parental substance use (PSU) is associated with increased psychiatric risk among offspring, but evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa remains limited.
To examine cross-sectional associations between PSU and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) algorithm-defined adolescent psychiatric symptom profiles in Lagos, Nigeria, and assess whether family dysfunction statistically attenuates these associations.
Data came from the Lagos Schools Emotional and Behavioural Health Survey, a school-based sample of 9437 adolescents aged 11-17 years. PSU was categorised as neither parent, only father, only mother or both parents using substances, defined as adolescent-reported at least weekly parental alcohol consumption or tobacco use over the past 12 months. Psychiatric symptom profiles were identified using structured MINI-KID self-report algorithms administered with trained research-assistant support. Logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Family dysfunction, defined as domestic violence or high family conflict, was examined using cross-sectional statistical attenuation models.
PSU was reported by 20.0% of adolescents: 17.3% father-only, 1.3% mother-only and 1.4% both parents. Associations followed a graded pattern. Dual-parent PSU was associated with increased odds of symptoms meeting algorithm thresholds for substance use disorder (aOR = 5.84, 95% CI 3.42-9.97), alcohol use disorder (aOR = 4.98, 95% CI 3.09-8.03) and major depressive disorder (aOR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.94-4.07). Family dysfunction partially attenuated selected associations.
PSU was associated with elevated adolescent psychiatric symptom profiles in a graded fashion. Findings are cross-sectional and do not establish causality. Outcomes represent self-reported symptoms meeting MINI-KID algorithm thresholds, not clinician-confirmed diagnoses.

PMID:
42867189
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Oct 2026.

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