RELATIONSHIP BREAKUP AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN

Abstract

Romantic relationship is regarded as a deliberate mutual relationship where both members of a dyad agree to date. Relationship termination can influence virtually every aspect of a person’s life including emotional, psychological, social, sexual, financial, physical and spiritual life. There is dearth of literature on coping mechanisms in dealing with relationship breakups. Therefore, this study assessed the coping mechanisms adopted by in-school adolescents in Ibadan Northwest Local Government Area, Ibadan during relationship breakup. A cross-sectional design using a three stage sampling technique was used for this study. A total sample size consisting of 420 in-school adolescents were selected from 12 schools and proportional sampling was used to determine the percentage of students that were picked from each class. Knowledge was measured on a 15-point scale; scores ≥than 8 were categorized as good. Perception was measured on a 16-point scale; scores ≥ 8 were categorized as positive. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The mean age of respondents was 14.70 ± 1.90 years and 56.4% were females. Over half (77.9%) of the respondents had good knowledge of relationship and relationship breakup.Less than one third of the respondents (37.1%) have ever been involved in a relationship while 27.4% were currently in a relationship. About 23% of the respondents have experienced break up in a relationship, while 8.6% of the respondents were currently going through a relationship breakup. Sixty two percent of the respondents had negative perception about relationship breakup, while 55.2% of the respondents had good perceived coping mechanism and 47.4% of the respondents had poor coping mechanism. Sixteen percent ofrespondents admitted that they criticize themselves when going through a breakup, while 12.2% of the respondents admitted that they have been blaming themselves for the breakup. About 16% of the respondents admitted that they use alcohol to make themselves feel better, while about 12.2% of the respondents revealed that they use other drugs to help them get through a breakup, however, while exploring the perceived coping mechanisms of the respondents, over half (63.6%)of the respondents stated that they will never use drugs or substances to make themselves feel better about a breakup. This study also revealed that there is a significant relationship between the age of respondents and their involvement in romantic relationships which further explains that the age of the students affects their relationship status; the older they are, the more they are involved in romantic relationships. Findings from this study showed that despite the fact that the students were able to suggest positive perceived coping mechanisms, they are unable to apply what they know. Hence, counseling units focusing on mental health challenges including adolescent relationships and lifestyle should be instituted in the health system of secondary schools. Although the respondents have good knowledge about relationship and relationship breakup, education about relationship management should be encouraged to effect positive changes to the perception the students have towards relationship breakup.