PSYCHO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES OF ADOLESCENTS’ SCHOOL DROPOUT IN FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS OF RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study investigated psycho-demographic variables of adolescents’ school dropout in flood-affected areas of Rivers State. The study adopted the correlational and ex post facto designs. A sample of 434 flood affected adolescents was drawn from a population of 326,677 out of school adolescents which was used for the study. Cluster and Simple random sampling techniques were used to compose the sample. Three research questions were answered while three corresponding null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Two instruments used for the study are Self-esteem Scale (SS) and School Dropout Questionnaire (SDQ). The instruments were validated by experts both in educational psychology and Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability of the instruments was tested using Cronbach alpha reliability method of internal consistency. A reliability coefficient for self-esteem scale was realized at 0.83 and school dropout questionnaire at 0.87 respectively. Mean, standard deviation, simple regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) associated with regression were used to answer the research questions and test their null hypotheses. Findings revealed among others that self-esteem accounts for 70.9% variation in school dropout among adolescents in flood-affected areas of Rivers State. It was also revealed that there is high rate of school-drop out among the male gender compared to the female gender. Based on the findings, it was recommended that adolescents should engage the services of school counsellors on measures to improve their self-esteem and school related challenges.