Broken Homes and Students' Psychological Adjustment in Public Secondary Schools in Ika Northeast Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of broken home and psychological adjustment of students in public secondary schools in Ika Northeast Local Government Area of Delta state. The research questions alongside the null hypotheses employed in this study were two. The study sampled three hundred (300) senior secondary school students out of the entire 25,688 students. Data collection was done using questionnaire titled Broken-home (BH) and Psychological Adjustment (PA). Analysis of data was likewise done with mean and standard deviation (SD) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r). The outputs showed that psychological adjustment among secondary school students was associated with broken homes. It was likewise found to have a strong relationship (based on students’ age). In addition, the findings established the fact that there exists (a mean difference) in intact homes and separate home students. It is found that younger students are more sensitive to the dynamics in broken homes and the older students are more adaptable with these troubling issues. According to the outputs, it was concluded that broken homes caused negative psychological impact and problems with adjustment among students at secondary schools. It was, therefore, recommended among others that (counseling services) be based in schools as the students in broken homes need psychological support to overcome their distress.