Influence of Family support on Mental Health of Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Ibadan South-West, Nigeria.
International Journal of Social Work and Development Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2025
Published: 2025/10/21
DOI: https://doi.org/10.67007/ijsds-2025-3700061
Abstract
Adolescent mental health is an emerging concern in Nigeria, as it negatively impacts academic performance, social relationships, and development, particularly among senior secondary school adolescents. This study examined the influence of family support on the mental health of senior secondary school adolescents in Ibadan South-West Local Government, Oyo State. Quantitative descriptive design was adopted, and 382 students were selected from six schools using multistage sampling. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire incorporating the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-10) and the Family Support Scale (FSS). Descriptive and inferential analyses, including linear regression, were conducted. Results indicated that 42.4% of respondents were at risk of poor mental health. Family support was significantly associated with mental health outcomes (R = 0.321, p < 0.001), accounting for 10.3% of the variance. Adolescents with stronger family support reported better mental health outcomes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that strengthening family bonds and integrating social work services into schools and communities are essential for promoting adolescent mental health.