Poster #73 - Community Violence Exposure and Psychological Well-being of Nigerian Secondary Students

• In Event: 3-159 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: PS 12 Section - Education, Schooling

Integrative Statement

Nigerian Adolescents living in adverse environments are vulnerable participating or witnessing community violence as well as being personally victimized by community violence. Such exposure to community violence increases the likelihood of adolescents’ developing unfavourable psychological outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anchored on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory, a sample of 333 Nigerian secondary school students, this study examines three potential moderators between the relation of community violence exposure and adverse psychological outcomes: gender, family structure, and religion. Two research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Two instruments: A 39 item Survey of Adolescents exposure to Community Violence (SAECV-Q) and 20 item Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) (Lovibond &Lovibond, 1995;
McDowell, 2006). were used for data collection. Data collected were subjected to analyses using frequency counts percentages and mean; and hypotheses tested using t-test and hierarchical regression. The results demonstrate significant difference between male and female experience of community violence (male, 33.1; Female19.7). Family structure was found to moderate community violence exposure and psycho-social well-being. Gender and religion were found to be protective factors against development of psycho-social problems. Suggestions were made in line with findings toward use of culturally evidenced-based interventions to enhance psycho-social well-being of students in conflict environments.
Keywords: Adolescents, anxiety, community violence, depression, Nigerian , post-traumatic stress, PTSD

Author

• Beatrice Ahamdu Bahago, University of Jos
  Presenting Author