THE IMPACT OF COPING AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

THE IMPACT OF COPING AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

Abstract

This project focused on the coping and survival strategies adopted by undergraduate students in the Federal College of Education Pankshin. To achieve the objectives, five research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. The study’s study’s design was a descriptive survey design and the population of the study consisted of all the undergraduate students of the Federal College of Education Pankshin Approximately 100 persons of The instrument was structured to be a four-point scale. Mean score statistic was used to answer the research questions, while the formulated hypotheses were tested with a simple percentage method of data analysis at a 0.05 significance level. The finding further revealed that more attention should be paid to improving the method of parents and guidance to advice on the kind of environment to study within the college or campus. In addition, the findings revealed that Some kind of student support should be available in the form of guidance to help in coping and survival strategies to educate the students about the consequences of the way they live on campus, It was further recommended that the students should adopt a healthy coping and survival strategy in the context of having a physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. This will go a long way in achieving the goals and objectives of education.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents Pages

Title page – – – – – – – – – – -i

Declaration – – – – – – – – – – ii

Approval page – – – – – – – – – – iii

Table of contents – – – – – – – – – iv

Abstract – – – – – – – – – – v

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study – – – – – – – – 1

1.2 Statement of the problem – – – – – – – – 5

1.3 Research Questions – – – – – – – – 7

1.4 Hypothesis – – – – – – – – – 7

1.5 Research objectives – – – – – – – – 8

1.6 Significance of the study – – – – – – – – 8

1.7 Scope of the study – – – – – – – – – 9

1.8 Definition of terms – – – – – – – – 9

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – – 10

2.2 Review of Literature – – – – – – – – 10

2.3 coping and survival strategies adopted by undergraduate students in federal college of education pankshin. – – – – – – – – – 11

2.4 Factors that account for the adoption of these coping

And survival strategies. – – – – – – – – 15

2.5 Effectiveness Of These Coping And Survival Strategies And How It Working Per Federal College of Education Pankshin. – – – – – – – 17

2.6 Consequences Of The Coping And Survival Strategies Adopted By Federal College Of Education Pankshin. – – – – – – – – – 18

2.7 Review of Theoretical Literature – – – – – – 21

2.8 Merton’s theory of adaptation (Means ends theory). – – – – 21

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction – – – – – – – – – 24

3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – – 24

3.2 Population and Sampling Procedures – – – – – – 24

3.3 Instrument for Data Collection – – – – – – 25

3.4 Validity of Reliability of the Instrument – – – – – 26

3.5 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – – 26

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

4.0 Introduction – – – – – – – – – 28

4.1 Data Analysis – – – – – – – – – 28

4.2 Hypothesis Analysis – – – – – – – – 40

4.3 hypothesis – – – – – – – – – 40

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION OF MAJOR FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTION

5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – – 45

5.2 Discussions of Findings – – – – – – – 46

5.3 Conclusion – – – – – – – – – 48

5.4 Recommendations – – – – – – – – 49

5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies – – – – – – 49

APPENDIX – – – – – – – – – – 50

REFERENCES – – – – – – – – –

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

College life can be stressful, although it is undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences in one’s life. It represents a critical development period for both adolescents and young adults (Chickeringg 2003, pg 2) movement between chases of education for many students can be a stressful experience when transcending from secondary school to higher education, students are required to adapt to a environment that not once changes in respect of academic requirements but also in personal independence (Edward 2003). During this period students face many challenges such as movement from home as well as intellectual changes (e.g. more demanding coursework). (Schunk and Pajares 2002). Manyundergraduates’ students undergo considerable stress due to the demands associated with change in healing home, becoming independent decision makers, and competing against new students (Altmaler, 2004). Some undergraduate students can see this transition as a positive experience that can be exciting, whereas others seem to be threatened by this change.

In light of (weight 2002) stated that university students are distressed to the transitional nature of university life. Stress seems to be an especially common challenge for a number of reasons. Some of the sources of stress include but are not limited to non-availability of sources of funding, scholarship, access to educational books, accommodation, conducive learning environment in terms of lecture halls, lecture theatre, shortage of academic staff protecting power supply and water supply, the high price of for foodstuff and many others.

To add to this dilemma, they have to cope with financial problems thus compelling them to work either full-time or part-time to support themselves and make a living, also increasing the rate of poverty among students (Asyan, Hamarat, Simons, Steel, and Thompson, 2002).

(Hudd and Yakozuka 2000Haveve posited that role conflict is a common part of post-secondary education as such, they suggested that students must learn to balance the competing demands of academics, develop new contacts, and be responsible for their daily needs. According to (Ross 2002) there are several explanations for increased stress levels in college students; first students have to make significant adjustments to college life, secondly, because of the pressure of studies there is the strain placed on interpersonal relationships, thirdly, hollering arrangements and changing lifestyle contribute to the stress experienced by college students. Besides these, students in college experience stress related to academic requirements, support systems, and ineffective coping skills.

Coping can be defined as an individual’s cognitive and behavioral strategies to manage, reduce or tolerate the external demands uncounted in any situation (Crocker 2002, Folkman and Lazarus 2004) and is reflected in the self-protection strategies adopted by individuals.

Three distinct categories of coping can be identified: appraisal-focused coping strategies (adaptive cognitive) problem-focused coping strategies (adaptive behavioral) and emotional-focused coping strategies.

1. Appraisal-focused coping strategies: these strategies occur when the person modifies the way they think, for example, employing denial or distancing oneself from the problem. People may alter the way they think about a problem by altering their goals and values such as by seeing the humor in a situation.
2. Problem-focused coping strategies: are strategies that try to deal with the cause of the problem. They do this by finding out information on the problems and learning new skills to manage them. Problems-focused coping is aimed at eliminating the source of the stress.
3. Emotional-focused strategies: involve realizing pent-up emotion, distracting oneself, managing hostile feelings, meditating,, or using systematic relaxation procedures emotion coping “is oriented toward managing the emotions that accompany the perception of stress”. (Folkman and Lazarus 2004, Pg 12-13).

The above-mentioned coping methods are scars and in determining the coping strategies of students.

Ineffective use of time can also be seen as another form of stress. Among the major tasks facing the modern-day youth is how best to manage their time productively.

With the Rethora of problems facing Nigerian undergraduates, it becomes necessary to find out how an undergraduate spends his/her time; being one of the limited resources used for the achievement of life goals. (Williams 2002:pg22) in addition to a classroom, the transition process includes: developing survival skills (e.g money and time managing skills, personal good setting); developing the self-discipline to just do it when a task or obligation is recognized; taking responsibility forthe well-being and developing a clearer understanding of oneself and one’s goals through interaction with department and peers who held goals, attitude or values different from the students. Though the transition period to college for students is quite demanding it is not equally stressful for all options for investigating survival in this environment would include looking at how a student copes with the stress of college which may also have an effect on their means of survival to the college environment (De Grauw and Nocross, 2000). Economic and financial well-being also tends to affect the coping and survival strategies adopted by the students at the Federal College of Education, Pankshin.

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

The sinuousness of poverty among Nigerian college students is succinctly expressed by (Dalvodu 2000); presidents of the lamented that the Lagos state students. He lamented that the Lagos state government has not responded to the needs of students for financial assistance, leading to the increase in failure rate among them. The scenario pointed out by (Dawodu 2000) pervades Nigeria’s tertiary education system. In this respect students these days engage in armed robbery to make ends meet, moreover, prostitution among females as a survival strategy is rather not emphasized.

This has been a topical issue in the Federal College of Education Pankshin where most students engage in several criminal immoral acts to make ends meet. (Olugbile, Abu and Adelakun 2008), Opened that sexual promiscuity is very rampant in our tertiary institutions average compels has several networks. Most of these students stand outside their hostels and halls to soli at for business. The hardened ones whose campuses as too boring do not operate inside the tertiary campuses. They brazenly sell their trade directly to their customers at night to nearby cities, clubs,, or hot spots that would give them maximum exposure to men who will like to patronize them, and the money gotten is used to meet academic demands and to tend themselves.

There are many students who have to work while in school in order to pay their way through college. This can pose a number of hazards for students when students have to work late at night and then do not have the time to study. This can then reflect on their academic work and on their grades. “More time spent at work can encroach on time otherwise available for studying” (Trockel, Barnes and Egget 2000, pg: 131).

The Nigerian tertiary students presently live under horrible conditions on campus. Their accommodation is believed to be so bad and unsanitary, congested and overcrowded impleading the capability to learn effectively. Some had to go live off campus and stay five to a room or more. But with the issue of the removal of subsidy on fuel, and recently like in the price of transportation, and also given the security challenge, students have to trek down to the school to reduce cost and others have to move back to the campus to squat therefore, increasing the number of students to a room which adds to the overcrowding nature that already exist (Scott 2003). Students find it difficult to have the privacy that one’s room guarantees, such as having a siesta after class during the day. Also in this overcrowded room, students are exposed to some health infections like respiratory diseases.

The study of coping and survival strategies involves an assessment of how students make ends meet outside their homes with little or no interference from their parents.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What are the coping and survival strategies adopted by undergraduates students in Federal College of Education Pankshin?
2. What are the factors that account for the adoption of these coping survival strategies among the Federal College of Education Pankshin?
3. How effective are these coping and survival strategies working for students in the Federal College of Education Pankshin?
4. What are the consequences of the adoption of these coping and survival strategies on the Federal College of Education Pankshin undergraduate students?

1.4 Hypothesis

The null and alternative are stated below and will be tested at a 2 = 0.05 level of significance.

1. Null hypothesis (Ho): there is no significant relationship between the coping and survival strategies among undergraduate students of Federal College of Education Pankshin.
2. Alternative hypothesis (Ha): there is a significant relationship between the coping and survival strategies among undergraduate students of Federal College of Education Pankshin.

1.5 Research Objectives

The general objectives of this research are to examine the coping and survival strategies among undergraduate’s students of Federal College of Education Pankshin. Has four objectives which are:

1. To examine the coping and survival strategies adopted by undergraduate students in Federal College of Education Pankshin.
2. To identify that factors that account for adoption of these coping and survival strategies among Federal College of Education Pankshin undergraduates students.
3. To ascertain how effective these coping and survival strategies are working for students in Federal College of Education Pankshin.
4. To critically examine the consequences of the adoption of the coping and survival strategies adopted by Federal College of Education Pankshin undergraduate students.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study assess the coping and survival strategies among undergraduate students in Federal College of Education Pankshin. The study reveals the survival strategies adopted by undergraduates, those factors responsible for the adoption of survival strategies.

The study also examine the effectiveness of these strategies on student’s survival strategies. It reveals certain consequences uncounted by students as linked to the adoption of these survival strategies.

Finally the study may serve, both as reference and resource material to anyone conducting future research on related issues.

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is conducted within Federal College of Education Pankshin, it is limited to undergraduate students.

The confinement of the study of Federal College of Education Pankshin.is largely informed by limited time and economic constraint.

1.8 Operational Definitions of Terms

(FCE) Pankshin: Federal College of Education Pankshin.

Coping: As an individual cognitive and behavioral strategies to manage reduce or tolerate the external demand encounter in any situation.

SAP:Structural adjustment program

(UBE): Universal Basic Education

(UPE): Universal Primary Education.

THE IMPACT OF COPING AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, GET MOREEDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PROJECT TOPICS

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