Attitude of Parents and Undergraduates in Handling the Pressure of Academic Setbacks in Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the attitude of parents and undergraduates in handling the pressure of academic setbacks in Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and three null hypotheses were formulated in the study. A Survey design was adopted for this study. The population for this study consisted of parents and university students in Nigeria. The sample for this study was 100 parents and 900 students selected from five universities in Nigeria, which include Delta State University, Abraka, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Anambra State University, Awka; University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Lagos. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the universities, while a stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Data was collected through the use of Parent Attitude Scale (PAS) and Undergraduates Attitude Scale (UAS). The instruments were duly validated and the reliability was tested using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a coefficient index of 0.65 and 0.75 respectively for each measure. The instruments were administered using online platform such as Google Form. Mean Score and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while simple regression was used to analyzed the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. In conclusion, the attitude of parents and undergraduates in handling pressure from academic setbacks in Nigeria plays a crucial role in shaping students’ experiences. While some parents and students exhibit resilience and adaptability, others may struggle with stress, anxiety and depression that may lead to suicide ideation. However, fostering supportive parenting styles, policy regulations and effective coping mechanism can bring about a more positive and productive students’ academic success and overall well-being. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made that students should be properly sensitized during university’s orientation programme that setback is a normal aspect of daily life engagement and parents should not pressure their wards at such moments. The ability of students to handle such tensions with ease will go a long way in fostering robust mental health.