Family Structure and Peer Group as Risk Factors to Suicidal Behaviour among the Youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Published)
This study investigated family structure and peer group as risk factors to suicidal behaviour among the youths in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design of the exploratory type. The population for the study comprised all youths in Ekiti State, while the sample consisted of 300 male and female youths and young adults within the ages of 13-55years. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample to accommodate family structure and gender strata from two out of the three Senatorial Districts (Central and South) in Ekiti State. Fifty youths were selected from each of the three Local Government Areas in each Senatorial District making a total of six Local Government Areas and two Senatorial Districts arriving at 300 youths altogether. The instrument for the study was questionnaire to collect data on risk factors to suicidal behaviour among youths in Ekiti State. The validity of the instrument was considered through face and content validity procedures. The reliability was considered using Cronbach alpha and the coefficient yielded 0.79. Two research hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data collected were analysed using frequency count, mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical tools. The study found that there was significant relationship between family structure as well as peer group and youth suicidal behaviours in Ekiti State. It was concluded that family disruption and bad peer group contribute to youth suicidal behaviours in Ekiti state. It was therefore recommended that couples should avoid all acts of omission and commission that could lead to disharmony among them, and also be watchful of the type of friends their children keep.
Keywords: Family Structure, Peer-Group, Risk Factors, suicidal behaviour, tragedy
Impact of Family Structure on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria (Published)
The intention of this study was to investigate the extent to which family structure, specifically; single parent families and two parent families affect the academic performance of secondary school students. Two hundred and twenty students of the public secondary schools in Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria were involved in the study. The Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS), which was designed by Suldo and Huebner (2006), was used to gather information from the students and it was conducted in a classroom environment during school period. After collecting information from the students, their scores in Mathematics and English Language (which are compulsory subjects in all secondary schools) of the second term of 2014/2015 academic session were obtained from their class teachers with the permission of the principals of the schools. The scores were then converted to Z-scores in order to ensure their reliability and validity since they were collected from different schools. Results show a significant difference in the academic performance of students from single parent families and those from two parent families. In other words, the academic performance of children from two parent families is better than those from single parent families. The implications of the findings were that parental separation should be avoided and religious leaders, counsellors as well as government must engage in enlightening parents about the importance of family structure on the life of children and in ensuring a well-ordered society.
Keywords: Family Structure, Secondary Schools, and Academic Performance
EFFECT OF SINGLE PARENTHOOD ON TRUANT BEHAVIOUR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EDO STATE (Published)
This study investigated the effects of single parenthood on truant behaviour among secondary school students. The purpose of the study is to find out the influence of family pattern on truancy behaviour of secondary school students. A total number of two hundred and fifty (250) subjects were randomly sampled for the study. Schools were purposively selected to cater for mixed schools, boys and girls schools. A questionnaire was designed by the researchers to measure the effects of single-parenthood on truant behaviour of students. Independent t-test was used for analyzing the hypotheses. The result revealed a significant difference between truant adolescent students from single parent homes and those from intact parent homes. The second and the third hypotheses also revealed a significant difference between truant behaviour of adolescent male and female students from single parent homes and those from intact homes. With the results obtained, the conclusions drawn were that there is a difference between the truant behaviour of single parent students and intact parents students, and that differences existed between the male and female from the different family structures. Recommendations were made that students from single parenthood should be counselled on self-esteem and self- concept and as well marriage disagreement should be handled with love between the parents, instead of settling for divorce
Keywords: Family Structure, Parenthood, Single-Parent, Truancy
