DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

This study explores the effects of parental separation on the well-being of adolescents and young adults in the Ekosodin community, Benin City, Nigeria, and examines the implications for social work practice. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research investigates emotional, psychological, academic, and behavioural outcomes among individuals aged 12 to 25 who have experienced parental separation. Findings reveal that separation often leads to emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as behavioural changes such as aggression, withdrawal, and academic disengagement. The study also identifies gaps in community support systems and limited access to formal psychosocial services. While some resilience factors and coping mechanisms were observed, many young people lacked adequate resources to manage the long-term impact of separation. The research highlights the urgent need for culturally sensitive, community-based social work interventions tailored to the unique socio- economic and demographic context of Ekosodin. Recommendations include strengthening local support networks, expanding access to counseling services, and integrating social work strategies into youth development programs.

This study examined the “Social Work Intervention Strategies for Victims of Truancy and Juvenile Delinquency in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.” Truancy and juvenile delinquency have become pressing social and educational challenges, threatening academic achievement, school discipline, and the broader social development of young people. These behaviours are influenced by multiple socio-cultural, economic, and family-related factors, which often leave affected students vulnerable to further academic and social failure. Social work intervention provides a professional framework to address these challenges by offering preventive, remedial, and rehabilitative support for students at risk. The objectives of the study were to: identify the causes of truancy and juvenile delinquency in selected public secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area, examine the social, economic, and cultural factors influencing these behaviours, explore the effectiveness of social work intervention strategies in addressing truancy and juvenile delinquency, assess the roles of schools, families, and communities in supporting victims, and investigate the challenges facing social workers in implementing interventions. The study adopted Social Learning Theory and Ecological Systems Theory as its theoretical framework. A quantitative approach was adopted, using survey research design. The study population comprised secondary school students, teachers, parents, and social workers in Ovia North East LGA. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected through multi-stage sampling
using systematic techniques. Data collection instruments included a structured questionnaire, validated by experts in social work. Reliability was ensured through testretest procedures. The findings revealed that peer pressure, poor parental supervision,
poverty, broken homes, negative school environments, and socio-cultural influences were major causes of truancy and juvenile delinquency. The study further showed that while social workers play an important role in counseling, advocacy, and school–community mediation, their involvement in secondary schools remains limited due to institutional, financial, and policy-related challenges. The study recommended, among others, that the government should integrate professional social workers into school systems to provide counseling and rehabilitation services; families and communities should be sensitized to their roles in curbing truancy and delinquency; and targeted economic and educational support should be provided for vulnerable students. Strengthening collaboration between schools, families, and community stakeholders was also emphasized as a key strategy to
reduce the menace

This study examined social work interventions in managing mental health among
students in public secondary schools within Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Guided by a descriptive survey research design, the study sought to
systematically describe the characteristics and patterns of mental health challenges
experienced by students as well as the effectiveness of social work interventions in
addressing them. The descriptive design enabled the researcher to collect relevant
information from a representative sample, providing an accurate reflection of the target population without attempting to establish causality. Egor LGA, an urban and semi- urban district within Benin City, served as the geographical focus due to its cultural
diversity, population density, and the presence of several notable educational and social institutions that influence youth development. The population of the study comprised students enrolled in public secondary schools in the area. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 400 students was selected from an estimated population of 574,406 persons. The study adopted a semi-structured questionnaire divided into two sections: demographic information and items directly aligned with the research questions. A four- point Likert scale facilitated the collection of quantifiable data regarding students’ perceptions of mental health challenges and the role of social work interventions. To ensure the accuracy and credibility of the instrument, expert validation was conducted, while reliability was established through the test-retest method. Data collection was
carried out personally by the researcher to ensure clarity and confidentiality. Ethical considerations such as informed consent and voluntary participation were strictly observed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools including tables, percentages, and graphical representations. Findings from the study provided meaningful insights into the current state of social work responses to mental health concerns within public schools in Egor LGA, contributing valuable knowledge to stakeholders seeking to strengthen mental health support systems in educational settings.

This study examined the effect of ageing on the mental health of women in Ikpoba-Okha: Implications for Social Work. The study sought to explore the psychological, emotional, and social challenges faced by ageing women, as well as the coping strategies adopted to maintain mental well-being. It also investigated the role of social workers in mitigating mental health problems associated with ageing. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to elderly women aged 60 years and above in selected communities within Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. A total of 220 respondents were sampled using simple random sampling techniques. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages.
Findings revealed that most ageing women in Ikpoba-Okha experience varying degrees of depression, loneliness, and anxiety, largely due to declining physical health, economic hardship, neglect by family members, and reduced social participation. The study also showed that effective social support systems, counselling, and community-based interventions play crucial roles in promoting mental health among the elderly. The study concluded that ageing significantly affects women’s mental health and called for proactive social work interventions aimed at promoting emotional stability and social inclusion. It recommended increased government support, family involvement, and community awareness programs to mitigate the psychological impact of ageing among women.

This to examined the social economic factors that influence social mobility among women in University of Benin, Benin City with detailed objectives that identify the specific nature of social mobility, the social economic factors that influence social mobility, the role education play in influencing social mobility of women in University of Benin, Benin City and also, proffer the necessary recommendations that can be drawn from the experiences of socially mobile women at the University of Benin to enhance gender equality and social mobility for women. The research population of the study comprised all the junior and senior staff in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. In University of Benin there are more than twelve thousand, five hundred (12,500) staff. The researcher used Faculty of Social Sciences Staff in University of Benin as targeted population to carry out research work. The sampling technique to be used for this study is the simple random sampling technique. This study was based on a sampling size of 100 staff to represent the entire population. The method to be employed for this research is the statistical method such as the percentage to deduce the effective and interpret the further necessary discussions. In conclusion, the findings suggest a range of perceptions, attitudes, and support for initiatives aimed at enhancing gender equality and social mobility. While there is notable support for certain measures, such as involving socially mobile women in decision-making and providing mentorship, there are also areas where respondents have diverse opinions or concerns, particularly regarding education and scholarships. These findings provide a foundation for further discussions and actions to enhance gender equality and social mobility at the University of Benin. In light of the findings, it is evident that there is a pressing need for comprehensive strategies and policies that address the challenges and opportunities associated with gender equality and social mobility at the University of Benin.

Leadership behavior plays a very important role in enhancing employee job satisfaction, motivation and job performance. Good leadership behavior accelerates the development of most organization. It therefore plays a critical role in the performance of organization. This study aims to investigate/research the impact of leadership styles on employee’s behavior at work. The case study of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Benin City. This study focuses on the effect of leadership on employees’ behavior at work using the Benin Electricity Distribution company (BEDC). Thus participants in the study will be staff of BEDC in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state. This study will focus of five types of leadership styles and employee behaviours respectively

Globally, human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and the psychological and social functioning impacts millions of people in all society including Nigerians. Nigeria is a source and transit nation for human trafficking, with many victims originating from vulnerable neighborhoods like Okogbo in Benin City, Edo State (Adepoju, 2019). Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transit, housing, or reception of persons for the purpose of exploitation using force, deception, or coercion (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2018). These people are taken advantage of in industries like commercial sex, manufacturing, domestic work, fishing, agriculture, and domestic work. 42% of victims are victims within their own nations, despite the fact that the majority of victims are trafficked across international borders (UNODC, 2016). 71% of the victims that have been found are female, and 28% are minors (UNODC, 2016).

his study is on the Role of Social Workers in Addressing Domestic Violence in Benin City, Edo State. The study population consisted of undergraduate students, and the sample was drawn using the Stratified Random Sampling method. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, chosen for it's efficiency in reaching a larger number of respondents within a shorter timeframe. Content validity was employed to ensure the instruments validity, with experts and professionals in the field contributing to the process. A Test-retest Reliability approach was applied to assess the instruments reliability. The primary method of data collection was the questionnaire, which was personally distributed to respondent's, with the researcher providing guidance on the completion process. The analysis of the collected data involved using basic percentages and presenting them in tables displaying frequency distribution. Social workers provide immediate support during crisis, offering a calm presence and guidance on accessing emergency services as they facilitate access to shelters and safe house, allowing victims to escape abusive environments and find temporary refuge.

This study examined social perception of stigmatization and alienation of single
motherhood in Ogbadigbo Community. This study is a survey design which was used to administer questionnaire to gather data from targeted respondents. The data was analysed using simple percentages and frequency tables. The study showed that there is high level of stigmatization and alienation on single mothers in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. The study also showed that there are different coping strategies utilized by single mothers in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. The study recommended that communities where single mothers should be made to accommodate single mothers since many of them just find themselves in the condition in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. Single mothers should try to find comfortable level of personality as to help them out of low self-esteem in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State.

The study investigated the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well-being in Sabongida-Ora community, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well- being in Sabongida-Ora community. The research questions asked to achieve the objective of the study were as follows; what are the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community, What are the causes of the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community and What are the best method to improve the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community. The sample size was 294 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that the growing awareness of the drug use problems of the elderly clearly points up the fact that real understanding and indepth knowledge of the area is lacking. Although it is true that some elderly people are receiving too much of too many psychoactive medications, it is also true that many are not now using psychoactive drugs that could significantly help them. These and other issues need intensive study. It is crucial, then, that at this juncture, NIDA actively participate and assist in the development of new knowledge and innovative service delivery models in order to provide every assurance that the elderly population who are experiencing difficulties associated with their drug use can be accurately identified and provided quality care. Recommendations were made based on the findings and they include: Physicians must always review all medications used. Special attention must be paid to nonprescription drugs, herbs and supplements. Various criteria sets exist in the literature that identify medications to be avoided, or prescribed with caution.