http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7 2026-10-30T06:28:20Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/3002 Contextual Predictors and Preventive Strategies of Mental Health Problems among Students of Tertiary Institutions, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria Kato, George Usman Background: This study investigated contextual predictors and preventive strategies for mental health problems among students of tertiary institutions at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Three specific objectives and two null hypotheses guided the study. Materials and Methods: The correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised 12,578 undergraduate students. The multistage sampling procedure was used to select the study sample of 390 students. The Mental Health Problems Questionnaire (MHPQ) and Mental Health Problems Preventive Strategies Questionnaire (MHPPSQ) were used for the study. Five experts in Public Health Education validated the MHPQ. The reliability of the MHPQ was determined using the Cronbach alpha statistic. The reliability coefficients of 0.71, 0.74 and 0.88 were obtained for sections B, C, and D of the MHPQ, respectively. The MHPPSQ contained 13 items formulated based on the study’s base line findings. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBMSPSSversion25).Mean, standard deviation, and point biserial correlation were used to answer research questions, while multiple regression analyses were used to test the null hypotheses1and 2 at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: Results showed that there was a positive moderate relationship between anxiety severity and students’ social/environment (rbp = .37), curriculum/expectations (rbp = .32) and financial stress (rbp=.36) and aweak positive relationship between anxiety severity and students perceived academic achievement (rbp=.25) andtime/balance challenge (rbp=.25).There was a positive moderate relationship between depression severity and social/environment (rbp =.32)and financial stress (rbp=.33).Furthermore, social/physical environmental challenges with higher beta values(beta=1.091,p=0.001)and financial stress(beta =1.079, P< .001)were statistically significant and social/physical environmental challenges with higher beta values(beta=1.026,p<=001)and financial stress(beta = 1.081, P< .001) were statistically significant. Health education experts also considered the formulatedpreventivestrategies formental healthproblemsamong studentsoftertiaryinstitutionsappropriate( =3.21;SD=0.35).Conclusion:The studyhighlightstheneedforroutinementalhealthscreeningprogrammesintertiary institutionstoidentifystudentsatriskofanxietyanddepressionbypsychologistsand mental health professionals. With the academic and other socio-economic demands of tertiary educational pursuits, students form a vulnerable group for close monitoring to prevent adopting ineffective coping strategies including recourse to psychoactive substances and other self-destructive behaviours. 2026-03-30T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2820 Contextual Stressors and Barriers to Help-Seeking Behaviours as Predictors to Depression Severity among Undergraduate Students of Tertiary Institutions in FCT, Abuja, Nigeria KATO, George Usman This study assessed contextual stressors and barriers to help-seeking behaviours as predictors of depression severity among undergraduate students of tertiary institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised 12,578 undergraduate students in FCT, Abuja. The sample size for the study was 408 undergraduate students. The multistage sampling procedure was used to draw the study sample. Contextual Stressors and Barriers to Help-Seeking Behaviours for Depression Questionnaire (CSBHSBDQ) was used for the study. The face validity was established by five experts while the reliability (internal consistency) of the CSBHSBDQ was determined using Cronbach’s alpha statistics. The reliability coefficients of 0.71 and 0.74 were obtained for sections A and B of the CSBHSBDQ respectively. The research questions were answered using point-biserial correlation. Multiple regression was used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that there is a moderate positive relationship between depression level and social/environment (rbp = 0.32) and financial stress (rbp = 0.33), while fear of therapy (rbp = 0.37), fear of self-discovery (rbp = 0.39) and fear of stigma (rbp = 0.37) showed a moderate positive relationship between depression level and barriers to behaviours. Social/physical environment (beta = .205, p = .000 < .05) and financial stress (beta = .216, p =.000 < .05) were significant contextual stressors of depression severity among undergraduate students, while fear of therapy (beta = 1.026, p = .001 < .05), fear of self-discovery (beta = 1.026, p = .001 < .05) and fear of stigma (beta = 1.081, p = .001 < .05) were significant barriers to help-seeking behaviours of depression severity among undergraduate students. The study recommended that necessary stakeholders should embark on stigma-reduction campaigns to create awareness around campuses and help remove stereotypes associated with depression. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2819 CAUSES OF ABSENTEEISM AMONG STUDENTS, AS PERCIEVED BY SECONDARY SCHOOLTEACHERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA BABA, Cecilia O. Absenteeism is a major problem that poses challenges to teaching and learning, and the overall academic performance of students. This study investigated the causes of absenteeism among secondary school students, as perceived by teachers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprised all secondary school teachers in Kwara State, estimated at 15,412. A sample of 378 teachers was selected using purposive, proportional, and simple random sampling techniques. The "Causes of Students' Absenteeism Questionnaire (CASAQ)" was used to collect data, which was validated and had a reliability of 0.79. The results showed that the main causes of absenteeism among secondary school students, as perceived by teachers, include long distance between school and place of residence, teachers' unfriendliness to students, and students' lack of commitment to schooling. The study also found no significant difference in the causes of absenteeism, as perceived by teachers, based on their educational qualification, marital status, and gender. Based on the findings, the study recommends building secondary schools within the community to reduce the distance from students' homes and prevent absenteeism. It also suggests that school management should ensure a good relationship between teachers and students to create a student-friendly environment. Additionally, teachers should be enlightened on strategies to reduce absenteeism among secondary school students, regardless of their gender, marital status, and educational qualification. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2818 TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION ON CAUSES OF BULLYING AMONG UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION PUPILS, KWALI AREA COUNIL, ABUJA -NIGERIA BABA, Cecilia O. The study titled 'Teachers' Perception on causes of Bullying among Universal Basic Students, Kwali Area Council, Abuja-Nigeria is a descriptive survey using questionnaire. The self-structured instrument named 'Causes of Bullying Questionnaire' (CBQ) was to elicit responses from teachers on the causes of bullying among UBE school students. The total population of UBE teachers who participated was 120. Simple random sampling was used for teachers that participated. The instrument was divided into five. 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z