PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS AND DYSFUNCTION INFLUENCING LEARNING OF ADOLESCENTS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study was to investigate psychosocial risk factors and dysfunction influencing learning of adolescents in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Five research questions were raised to guide the researcher. Various literatures were reviewed to the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study. The population of the study consisted of all 22,766 students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample size for the study were 235 adolescents. They were selected by two sampling techniques. That is simple random sampling technique and purposive sampling. The study utilized a validated questionnaire that was designed by the researcher. From the data collected in the study, the psychosocial risk factors influencing learning of adolescents in Oredo LGA Edo State include: Physical injuries, child abuse, chronic illness, and family separation. It was also discovered that majority of the respondents do not have psychosocial dysfunctions influencing their learning. Based on the findings, it was recommended that adolescents should spend valuable time with friends or family, they should avoid hazards capable of causing physical injuries, they should find time to rest and sleep adequately, they should eat balanced diet regularly and report to the appropriate authorities in case of child abuse.