IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE WELLBEING AND STABILITY OF FAMILIES IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study impact of covid-19 on the wellbeing and stability of families in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. This study employed a survey research, specifically the cross-sectional survey design which implored the use of a portion of the population to collect data. The population of the study comprised parents in the twelve (12) wards of Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State. There was no sampling in selecting the wards as the entire twelve wards were chosen for the study. However, a Non-Probability Sampling Technique called convenience sampling was used in selecting 120 respondents for the study. The instrument for data collection was an Impact of Covid-19 on Families Questionnaire (ICFQ) made up of 17-item statements, constructed by the researcher based on the literature reviewed. The construct validity of the instrument was established by subjecting the instrument to three experts from the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, University of Jos. Three research questions were raised for the study. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that heightened family tension, worries about of family members, pressures related to going to work, substance misuse were the issues that affected families’ wellbeing and stability within the study area. The study also found that as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, parents experienced mental health issues such as depression, stress, irritability, socioeconomic issues such as loss of jobs, salary cuts, loss of business, increased borrowing of loans/debts from friends and families, and increased use of credit cards and overdrafts all of which affected the wellbeing and stability of families within the study area. The study recommended that as the spread of the pandemic is being curtailed, all Covid-19 guidelines set by NCDC should be adhered to at all times. Also, government should create more empowerment programmes in order to train individuals that lost their jobs and businesses as a result of the pandemic to enable them cater for themselves and their households.