EFFECT OF FAMILY MEAL ROUTINES ON CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, SELF-ESTEEM, AND BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES AMONG FAMILIES IN GIREI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA STATE-NIGERIA

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the impact of family meal routines on children’s emotional well-being, self-esteem, and behavioural issues among Families in Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State-Nigeria.  A total of 132 children aged 6-12 and their parents participated in the study. Data were collected using surveys that assessed family meal frequency, children’s emotional well-being (measured by the Emotional Well-Being Scale for Children), self-esteem (measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale adapted for children), and behavioural issues (measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).  ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between family meal routines and the outcome variables. ANOVA results for emotional well-being revealed a significant effect of family meal frequency on children's emotional well-being (F (3, 128) = 35.82, p < 0.001). Given the p-value was significantly less than the 0.05 threshold, HO1 was rejected, suggesting that regular family meals significantly enhance children's emotional well-being. Similarly, the ANOVA results for self-esteem indicated a significant impact of family meal routines (F (3, 128) = 25.48, p < 0.001). The p-value, again well below 0.05, led to the rejection of HO2, demonstrating that family meal routines play a significant role in boosting children's self-esteem.  Additionally, the results revealed a significant negative correlation between family meal frequency and behavioural problems (r = -0.75, p < 0.001), indicating that higher frequency of family meals was associated with fewer behavioural issues. It was concluded that that family meal routines positively influence children’s emotional well-being and self-esteem while reducing behavioural problems. Regular family meals are associated with significant improvements in these areas, highlighting the importance of maintaining family meal routines for promoting positive child development. It was recommended among others that further research should explore causal relationships and investigate additional factors that may influence these outcomes.