NIGERIAN SOCIAL CHALLENGES AND RELATIONSHIP WITH PERSONAL FUNCTIONING OF YOUTHS IN EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigerian social challenges (problems) as they concern the youths are hardly given serious policy and governance attentions. This study investigated Nigerian social challenges (problems) and relationship with personal functioning of youths in Eastern Nigeria. Participants were 174 university undergraduates of mean-age 20.57 and SD 1.98 sampled through cluster and incidental sampling methods. The research instruments were Nigerian Social Challenges (Problems) Scale, and Personal Functioning Scale on Likert 5-point format. Cross-sectional with descriptive and Pearson statistics were used. The findings were that “Nigerian social challenges (problems)” correlate positively but at the average level with the youths’ “personal functioning” (P< 0.001> 0.000, r = 0.591, N = 174). Only “frustration” as a facet of Nigerian Social Challenges (Problems) had non-significant relationship with only “identity” as a perspective of Personal Functioning (P> 0.05< 0.076, r = .135, N = 174). Recommendations were for the Nigerian youths to be equipped with behavioural skills resources necessary for managing “frustration” and quest for self-identity.