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 Universityundergraduates. A survey design was adopted for this research. A total number of 300 participants consisting of 150female 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 0.05level of significance of the SPSS version 20. Purposive sampling was adopted to select the setting of the study whilestratified and systematic sampling techniques were employed to select the participants. The results revealed thatthere is a significant relationship between family relationship and psychological wellbeing; Autonomy, EnvironmentalMastery, 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 familyrelationship significantly and jointly accounted for 29.4% of the total variance observed in psychological wellbeingamong Covenant University undergraduates. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that familyrelationship had a significant influence on university student’s psychological well-being. This study thereforerecommended that parents and stake holders in the family should strive for a healthy and functional relationship inthe family as it has implications for their Psychological well-being. Also, psychologists in education sector shouldoften design psycho–education programs on the implications of family relationship on psychological well- being ofuniversity students for their parents.Key words: Family Relationship, Psychological Well- being, University Students