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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS AND GENDER AMONG NIGERIANS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between stressful life eventsi and anxiety during the period of adolescence. It is known that stressful life events are commonly studied risk and environmental factors in the development of psychopathology in childhood and adolescence. In addition, physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety are often associated with stressful life events. These events are related to the different experiences of conflict and disrupted communication in the family. Subsequently, these events directly or indirectly affect the self-esteem and the self-image of adolescents during the period of adolescence. This research starts with the assumption that stressful life events predicted anxiety during the period of adolescence. Another assumption, in this research, is that females have higher level of anxiety compared with males. This study was conducted on a sample  of 160 participants (80 girls and 80 boys) students in the fourth year of secondary school. The instruments used in the research include: scale of stressful life eventsi for children and adolescents – Stress-D, and the Scale for anxiety for children and adolescents – SCAD-62. The results showed that stressful life events were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms (r= .962, p<.01). Also, the symptoms of anxiety are closely associated with medical (F,24,135= .871, p<.05) and family stressful events (F,24,135= 2.017, p<.05). There were significant relationship between medical stressful life events and gender (p= .045), and social stressful life eventsi and gender (p= .001). On the other hand, there was a negative correlation between academic stressful life events and gender (p= .944), and European Scientific Journal April 2016 edition vol.12, No.11 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e – ISSN 1857- 7431 333 family stressful life eventsi and gender (p= .564). In conclusion, the results of the study show that females have higher level of anxiety compared with males (r= .985, p<.01). The results show that there is a significant relationship between specific types of stressful life eventsi, including those related to physical health and family which discord the anxiety during the period of adolescence.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

It is well known that adolescence stage has been conceptualized as a transitional period. Thus, this period begins with the onset of puberty and ends with the acceptance of the rules and responsibilities of adulthood. Of all life- stages, except childhood, adolescence is mostly considered to be a rapid and very intensive process of transition (Achenbach & McConaughy, 1997). This is to be seen in the domain of biological development where the changes are physically and externally manifested. Furthermore, it is also seen in the progression of both cognitive and psychosocial maturity from that of childhood to a fully grown adult.

Although the adolescence period is characterized as the happiest phase of life, stress, depression, and anxiety are common problems that marks this stage of life. However, several scientific studies basically focus on determining the prevalence of adolescent stress and anxiety in different cross-cultural backgrounds. These studies confirm that the risky behaviors of adolescents are universal and are crucially governed by their experience to stress, anxiety, depression, and other social factors (Carr, 1999). Many young persons are seriously affected by their experience of stress, depression, and anxiety. However, they may rely on various negative or positive behaviors while

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