Social Adjustment Strategies and Mental Well-Being of Secondary School Students in Uyo and Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the extent to which social adjustment strategies predict the mental well-being of secondary school students in Uyo and Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of 7,864 SS2 students in public secondary schools. A sample of 650 SS2 was selected for the study using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection in this study was a structured questionnaire titled “Social Adjustment Strategies and Mental Well-being Questionnaire (SASMWQ)” developed by the researchers. The instrument was face validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using the internal consistency method, and reliability coefficients obtained were 0.79 for emotional regulation, 0.82 for social support, 0.76 for problem-solving ability, and 0.81 for mental well-being, with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.80. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression statistics. The analysis of data revealed that the three social adjustment strategies investigated, namely emotional regulation, social support, and problem-solving, significantly predicted the mental well-being of secondary school students. It was concluded that effective improvement of students’ mental health requires a holistic approach that integrates emotional, social, and cognitive support systems within the school environment. Based on the major findings of the study, three recommendations were made, among which is that secondary schools in Uyo and Ibesikpo/Asutan Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State should integrate structured emotional regulation training and counseling services into their guidance programs to help students develop effective coping strategies for stress and emotional challenges.