AN ASSESSMENT OF EMOTIONAL STRESS AND SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM DIVORCED FAMILIES IN KANO METROPOLIS NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assesses the level of emotional stress and school adjustment among 
senior secondary school students from divorced families in Kano Metropolis, 
Nigeria. A correlational design was employed for the study. The population of 
the study was 481 males and females SS II students from divorced families among 
senior secondary school students in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. A sample of 215 
students were selected for this study. Emotional stress questionnaire was used in 
collecting emotional stress data while school adjustment questionnaire was used 
in collecting school adjustment data using proportionate sampling technique. 
Data collected in this study were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social 
Science (SPSS) version 28.0 software. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of 
significance and revealed that there is significant negative relationship between 
emotional stress and school adjustment among senior secondary school students 
from divorced families (r = -.669, p= 0.002). Pearson Product Moment 
Correlation, percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation were 
calculated. The result indicated that there is high emotional stress among senior 
secondary student from divorced families in Kano Metropolis (mean = 50.67: SD 
= 93.07). Based on this of findings, the study concluded that there is a negative 
relationship between emotional stress and school adjustment among senior 
secondary school students from divorced families. The study recommended the 
need for students who experience emotional stress to be referred to school 
psychologists and counselors who should assist them to enable them cope with 
stress. The study also recommended the need for the establishment school 
psychologists units across all secondary schools in Kano Metropolis.