Relationship Between Psychosocial Resilience and Mental Health of Junior Secondary School Students in Calabar South Senatorial District, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between Psychosocial Resilience and Mental Health of Junior Secondary School Students in Calabar South Senatorial District, Cross River State, Nigeria. Correlation research design was used for the study. Two research objectives, research questions and hypotheses were used for this study. The population was 16,800 and a sample of 376 was used for the study. Multistage sampling procedure was used to compose the sample. Two research questions were answered while two hypotheses were tested in the study at 0.05 level of significance. Two instruments were used to collect data- Students’ Psychosocial Resilience Questions (SPRQ) and Students’ Mental Health Questionnaire (SMHQ). The SPRQ is made up of 20 items on emotional regulation and problem-solving ability. SMHQ also comprised 20 items on students’ mental health. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research questions on the basis of the values of r (coefficient of correlation) and also test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance by comparing the p-value (probability values). It was found that there is a significant positive relationship between students’ emotional regulation and mental health of junior secondary school students. It also revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between students’ problem-solving ability and mental health of junior secondary school students in Calabar South Senatorial District, Cross River State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others- that teachers and school counsellors incorporate emotional regulation training into classroom activities and guidance programs. The study concluded that emotional regulation enhances students’ mental health and supports their psychological balance, while problem-solving ability promotes resilience and reduces stress.