SOCIAL SUPPORT, COPING STRATEGIES AND ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BOARDERS IN UGHELLI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between social support, coping strategies and academic adjustment among junior secondary school boarders in Ughelli North Local Government area, Delta State, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised to guide the study, the correlational research design was used. In Ughelli North Local Government area, Delta State, 2600 junior secondary school one students make up the population of the study. The sample size was 250 using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Three instruments were used: Social Support Scale (SSS), Coping Strategies Scale (CSS) and Academic Adjustment Scale (AAS) to collect data. The reliability of the instruments was determined through Cronbach Alpha and it yielded 0.65, 0.68 and 0.71 respectively. All the three instruments used for data collection in this study were adapted and the items in the instruments were clearly explained by the researchers to the respondents for proper understanding before responding to it. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer research question 1-3. The study shows that social support and coping strategies have significant positive relationship with academic adjustment. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others; that students should go for counselling and should be taught how to schedule their time effectively in order to make necessary adjustment in their academic, personal- socio activities, emotional demands and follow the rules and regulations of the school and more professional counsellors should be employ to assist students to adjust to the new school environment.

 

Keywords: Social Support, Coping Strategies, Academic Adjustment, Boarding Students.