PSYCHOSOCIAL ANALYSIS OF YOUTHS' INVOLVEMENT IN CULTISM IN OGUN STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, NIGERIA

Abstract

It is evident that psychological indicators are mental and emotional conditions (low self-esteem, identity crisis, anxiety, unresolved trauma, depression, emotional neglect, or a need for acceptance) that negate generally accepted culture and increase youth involvement in cult-related activities. In Nigeria, the rate at which Nigerian youths are integrated and initiated into cult gang members is alarming and detrimental to nation-building. The extant national and international literature was reviewed to support the inquiry's outcome, while Sigmund Freud's theory of instinctual drives was adopted to justify it. The study was conducted at three correctional facilities in Ogun State, Nigeria: Sagamu, Oba, and Ibara. Mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) and cross-sectional survey design were adopted. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ogun State Ministry of Justice and the Ogun State Correctional Service. As at the time the research was conducted the total population of the inmates both convicted and detained in the three selected facilities is 2,777 but with the help of the correctional warders and wardress a sum total of 180 inmates to include male and female were identified and qualified to partake and gives response to the served structured questionnaire while 15 In-depth interviews were granted among the inmates who are willingly to partake in the research exercise while all information supplied were treated with confidential and academic purpose only. The outcome of the regression analysis shows that out of the nine psychological components tested as psychosocial indicators of youth involvement in cultism only feelings of isolation (B = 0.660, p = 0.008) and sense of identity (B = 0.674, p = 0.005) were statistically significant .while the outcome of verbal transcription indicated that apart from psychosocial variables other variable such as socioeconomic and environmental factors plays vital role in explaining the causes of youth involvement in cultism in Nigeria It was on this ground the following are recommended School based prevention strategies should be developed and monitor, Popular empowerment of youths through different platform and adequate profiling records for rehabilitation.