ABSTRACT
This study examined maternal deprivation on the mental health of adolescent in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the effects of maternal deprivation on child’s development, examine the impact of maternal deprivation on the bonding and socialization of adolescent in Ughelli south local government area, investigate the major effects of maternal deprivation on adolescent academic performance, and suggest possible solutions to the problem of maternal deprivation on adolescent.
The survey research design was adopted for this study. This is based on the fact that the study areas are large. This method helped in the understanding of the broadest possible terms of process involved in the scientific enquiry, as well as examining the validity and reliability of the research instruments. The study employed the use of statistical descriptive techniques and tools such as percentage and tables as well as the chi-square method in the analysis of data and testing of hypothesis respectively. The findings from the study revealed that maternal deprivation has a significant effects on a child’s development, maternal deprivation has a significant effect on the bonding and socialization of adolescent in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, and that maternal deprivation has a significant effects on adolescent academic performance.
The study recommended that adolescents who experienced maternal deprivation need better rearing care, with physical and psychological support, particularly those with their fathers, a regular periodic psychological assessment of these adolescent should be carried out, as it will help for early detection and proper management of any mental ailments and improvement in the quality of life after separation from mother. Also the study recommended that, outpatient clinics should provide services on educational programs on parenting, and intervention studies should be proposed to deal with these behavioral problems using various approaches pertaining to the structure and function of adolescents who experienced maternal deprivation.
