PREVALENCE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PREDICTORS OF MENTAL STRESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Mental stress has been ascertained as a leading form of stress that has constituted burden to individuals across the globe. In spite of improved media and healthcare providers’ contributions to mental stress management, there is still high prevalence of mental stress. This study examined prevalence and socio-economic predictors of mental stress among undergraduates of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design of correlational type. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a total of 100 respondents from four departments in the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A self developed questionnaire with reliability value of 0.70 was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were analysed with the use of inferential statistics of multiple linear regression. The study established that, there was a significant joint prediction of social variables on mental stress among undergraduates of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan (F(2,97)=19.437, p<.05). Academic workload (β=0.544, p<.05) had relative prediction on mental stress, while competition from peers (β=0.148, p>.05) did not. There was a significant joint prediction of economic variables on mental stress among undergraduates of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan (F(2,97)=6.441, p<.05). Parental economic status (β=0.374, p<.05) had relative prediction on mental stress, while financial burden (β=0.053, p>.05) did not. There was a significant joint prediction of social and economic variables on mental stress (F(4,95)=9.876, p<.05). There was a high prevalence of mental stress among undergraduates of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that an effective health education on mental health should be organised for the students of University of Ibadan at faculty level and perhaps halls of residence.