Benue State University, Makurdi

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT ON ADOLESCENTS' MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT IN EPE, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Adeyemi Shade Vivian

Abstract

Social support is the degree to which an individual receives assistance and acceptance from others. These assistance and acceptance are important in the mental health development process as it will boost adolescents' confidence, self-esteem, belief and the way they perceive self, others and situations they encounter. Two hypotheses were raised and a self-structured questionnaire (Social Support Coping Scale – SSCS – r = 0.87) utilised for data collection. The SSCS was administered on 200 respondents (95 females and 105 males) and has 15 test items on a 4-point Likert scale. Data gathered were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis. Resultsof the first hypothesis revealed that there was a significant relationship between social support and adolescent mental health development, (r (198) = 0,312, p < .05; (x) and SD 31.15 and 8.113). The other hypothesis also showed that there is a significant relative contribution of each of the measured variables friends (Beta = ,754, t = 10.982, p < .001) family (Beta = ,189, t = 3.331, p < .005), and significant others(Beta = ,152, t = 2.803, p < .001)on adolescents mental health development. The study therefore recommends that during the adolescence years, families, friends and significant others (such as teachers, counsellors, the school, religious and political leaders, celebrities and government) should ensure that there is a balance between morality, reality and falsehood that adolescents are exposed to or experience as they all contribute to their mental health development.

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