FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING OF UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES. A CASE STUDY OF A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of family relationship on psychological wellbeing among Covenant University
undergraduates. A survey design was adopted for this research. A total number of 300 participants consisting of 150
female and 150 male respondents (Mean=19.4, SD =1.9). The three hypotheses were developed and tested.
Hypotheses stated were tested using Zero order correlation, Multiple regression and Independent T-test at 0.05
level of significance of the SPSS version 20. Purposive sampling was adopted to select the setting of the study while
stratified and systematic sampling techniques were employed to select the participants. The results revealed that
there is a significant relationship between family relationship and psychological wellbeing; Autonomy, Environmental
Mastery, Personal Growth, Positive Relations with Others, Purpose in Life and Self-Acceptance with p<.001.
Observation of coefficient of determination [R 2 = 294] showed that both functional and dysfunctional family
relationship significantly and jointly accounted for 29.4% of the total variance observed in psychological wellbeing
among Covenant University undergraduates. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that family
relationship had a significant influence on university student’s psychological well-being. This study therefore
recommended that parents and stake holders in the family should strive for a healthy and functional relationship in
the family as it has implications for their Psychological well-being. Also, psychologists in education sector should
often design psycho–education programs on the implications of family relationship on psychological well- being of
university students for their parents.
Key words: Family Relationship, Psychological Well- being, University Students