FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

This study assessed in-service training and employee retention in the Edo state civil service, using three selected ministries as case study. The objectives of the study were to examine the extent to which in-service training has enhanced employee retention in the Edo state civil service; investigate the effect of in- service training on employee salaries in the Edo state civil service; to analyze how training has impacted on career progression of civil servants in Edo state civil service. The study adopted the social exchange theory as its theoretical framework of analysis. The survey research design was adopted for the methodology and a five-point likert scale structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Descriptive frequency and percentages was used to present the responses of respondents while the Chi-Square (X 2) and the Pearson's Contingency Coefficient statistical tool were utilized in the analysis of data. The study revealed that the retention of employees in the Edo state civil service is affected by in-service training. It also revealed that in-service training contributes to improved work culture in the Edo state civil service. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the personnel management of the Edo state civil service should conduct regular needs assessment to identify training gaps and employee development priorities within the organization. Management should provide a variety of training options, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and on-the-job training, to cater to different learning styles and preference

The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Undergraduates at the University of Benin. This study investigates how social media usage affects the mental health of undergraduate students at the University of Benin. The research was conducted within the university community and focused on determining the relationship between social media use and mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and concentration. The main objectives were to examine the effects of social media usage patterns on students’ mental health and to identify possible interventions to mitigate negative outcomes. The study was guided by two key research questions: 1.What is the relationship between social media usage and mental health indicators (anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and concentration)? 2. How does passive browsing affect students’ psychological well-being? A descriptive survey design was employed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a sample size of 150 undergraduate students. The instruments used included standardized scales such as the GAD-7 for anxiety, PHQ-9 for depression, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and custom questions on concentration. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis through SPSS. The key findings revealed that excessive social media use was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem,and poor concentration. Students who engaged in passive browsing reported more psychological distress than those who used social media actively and moderately. In conclusion, while social media offers certain academic and social benefits, its excessive and passive use negatively impacts the mental health of students. There is a need for awareness and counseling interventions targeted at digital well-being. It is recommended that: 1. University management should integrate mental health awareness and digital literacy into orientation and counseling programs. 2. Students should be encouraged to set healthy boundaries for social media use to enhance their academic and psychological well-be

The persistent macroeconomic challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa have drawn increasing attention to the dual roles of government expenditure and external debt in shaping the region’s economic trajectory. While public spending is often expected to drive growth, its actual impact is frequently undermined by inefficiency, corruption, and fiscal mismanagement. Similarly, although, external debt can help finance development, excessive borrowing may hinder economic growth due to debt overhang. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of government expenditure and external debt on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study used a panel dataset of 30 Sub-Saharan African countries covering the period 2009 - 2023. A two-step System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) approach was used to account for potential endogeneity and dynamic effects, while a Panel Threshold Model (PTM) was applied to explore non-linear relationships between external debt and economic growth. Key institutional indicators, including control of corruption, were incorporated to capture their mediating role in shaping the impact of government expenditure on economic welfare. The study found that government expenditure had a negative effect on economic growth but exerted a positive influence on economic welfare when moderated by institutional quality. Furthermore, external debt exhibited a threshold effect, with positive impacts on growth at
levels below 51% of GDP and negative impacts beyond 75%, supporting the debt overhang hypothesis. The study recommended improving fiscal governance, strengthening anticorruption measures, and adopting prudent debt management strategies to enhance the effectiveness of public spending and promote sustainable economic growth and development
in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This research study examined National Question of State Police as a Panacea to Security in Edo South Senatorial District, Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the crime rates in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, find out the most common crime in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, ascertain the roles of State Police in crime control in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, and
determine the perception of the Edo South residents towards State Police if established. Anchored on structural functionalism theory as the theoretical framework of the study, the research descriptive survey design methods and
questionnaires to obtain information and employ frequencies and percentages to analyze data. The research unveils that there is a high rate of crime in the senatorial district, kidnapping rank first among the common crime in the
senatorial district, followed by cultism, theft/burglary, then rape, and fighting, Edo South senatorial district residents perceived that the if State Police get established, will be very good, worthwhile and commendable. It was suggested
that the government should make a priority to meaningfully engage the youth in the county thereby reducing the rate of unemployment, for an adage says "idle hands are the devil's workshop, the establishment of the State Police is strategic to the national security of the country because of its size and heterogeneous nature. The State Police if created will not only decongest the administrative stress at the federal level but will also have a closer chief of security officer in the person of the governor monitoring to address security issues before they escalate, to this end if it gets initiated, it should be guided against abuse by State actors.

This study examines the talent management and organisational performance; a case study of selected hospital in Benin city, with a focus on how leadership styles, administrative competence, and decision-making processes influence employee performance and organizational effectiveness. The research investigates the extent to which leadership practices such as communication, motivation, delegation of duties, and supervision contribute to the productivity levels within the local government system. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to employees across various departments, and were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency distribution

Older adults are one of the populations at risk in most traditional African societies, with growing issues of various forms of abuse and neglect that exacerbate their already deteriorating conditions, being perpetrated by their family members and caregivers. Hence the study examined prevalence of older adult abuse and social work intervention in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted the quantitative and qualitative research methods, where the cross-sectional research design was adopted in collecting quantitative data. The phenomenology research design was employed for the collection of qualitative data. The study area was in Etinan Local Government Area, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria, covering ten major streets in five communities in Etinan Local Government Area. The target participants were older adults within the age range of 65 years and above, who were victims and those who had knowledge and experience of older adult abuse. A sample size of 400 respondents and 10 informants were adopted for the quantitative and qualitative data respectively, while the simple random and purposive sampling techniques were adopted in selecting the respondents and informants. The research instrument for collecting the quantitative data was a structured questionnaire on a one-time survey and face to face basis, while the qualitative data was collected with the aid of an unstructured in-depth interview guide. Quantitative data collected was analyzed with the statistical packages of social sciences (SPSS) version 22, and the results were presented using percentages, tables, frequency distribution, cross tabulations, charts and descriptive statistics. Thematic and phenomenological methods of data analysis were used to analyze the qualitative data obtained from the field. The findings emphasized that various forms of elder abuse especially emotional, physical, and financial, were perceived as serious challenges affecting older adults’ well-being, demanding increased awareness, prevention efforts, and policy interventions.The findings indicated that socio-cultural, economic, and institutional factors jointly contributed to the mistreatment of older adults. It also revealed a strong consensus that elder abuse lead to broad and lasting harm across emotional, social, and physical domains among older adults. It revealed gaps in institutional and communal support that require policy attention and education initiatives. The study recommended that government and relevant stakeholders should organize community workshops targeting families, caregivers, and older adults to raise awareness about elder abuse, its signs, and consequences.

This study examined the relationship between stress and academic performance among final-year students in the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin. Stress, as a response to academic, financial, and personal pressures, often exceeds students’ coping capacities and affects their academic outcomes. The research aimed to assess the effect of stress on performance, identify its major causes, and examine coping mechanisms among students. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (1984), the study employed an explanatory design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 150 students selected via stratified random sampling across six departments and analyzed using simple percentages and frequency distributions. Findings revealed that most students frequently experience academic-related stress, which intensifies during their final year. The major sources of stress were financial difficulties, examinations, and project work. The study further discovered that stress negatively affects students’ concentration, motivation, and overall academic performance, often leading to physical and emotional exhaustion. Many students reported experiencing burnout and health-related issues resulting from prolonged academic pressure. Sleeping and talking to friends or family were the most common coping strategies, while only a few students sought professional help, indicating inadequate use of institutional support systems The study recommended establishing stronger mental health services, reducing academic workloads, and improving communication between students and faculty. It concludes that unmanaged academic stress has a significant adverse effect on students’ performance and well-being, emphasizing the need for proactive institutional interventions to promote healthier coping mechanisms and academic success

This study investigates public perceptions of how poverty influences youth criminal behavior in Benin City, Nigeria. Despite the city’s cultural and economic significance, escalating youth crime has emerged as a major social concern, often attributed to widespread poverty, unemployment, and social disorganization. Grounded in criminological frameworks such as Strain Theory, Social Disorganization Theory, and Attribution Theory, the research explores how residents interpret the relationship between economic hardship and youth involvement in crime and how these perceptions shape support for social or punitive policy responses. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted. Using stratified random sampling, 100 adult respondents were selected across the three local government areas of Benin City—Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha. Data were collected through structured questionnaires validated by experts and tested for reliability using the test-retest and Cronbach’s Alpha methods. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency distributions, mean scores, and Chi-square tests, were employed to analyze quantitative data, while open-ended responses were thematically interpreted. Findings reveal an overwhelming consensus that poverty is a major determinant of youth criminality. Eighty-five percent of respondents identified poverty as the leading cause of crime among youths, with 60 percent rating its influence as “very high.” Unemployment, peer influence, and poor family background were also cited as significant contributing factors. The study found that 88 percent of respondents agreed that poverty breeds desperation, compelling young people to adopt illicit means of survival. Similarly, 84 percent believed that poverty- reduction initiatives would substantially decrease crime rates. A large majority (82 percent) expressed preference for preventive, welfare-oriented strategies—such as job creation, vocational training, and youth empowerment—over punitive measures like policing and incarceration. Demographic data highlighted that most respondents were young (ages 18–35), low-income earners with moderate education levels, reflecting the socioeconomic group most affected by unemployment and vulnerability to crime. These characteristics underscore the structural and psychological pressures shaping youth deviance in Benin City. The findings align with global criminological theories emphasizing the interplay between economic deprivation and social breakdown as key drivers of criminal behavior. The study concludes that public perception in Benin City strongly links poverty to youth criminality and favors socio-economic intervention over coercive control. It recommends that policymakers, law-enforcement agencies, and community organizations prioritize integrated poverty-alleviation programs, job-creation initiatives, and educational opportunities as core components of crime-prevention strategy. Academically, the study contributes to literature on the socioeconomic determinants of crime and provides empirical evidence for testing and refining criminological theories in Nigerian contexts.

This study examines the impact of poverty on the mental health of the elderly in Ovbiogie community, Edo State. Poverty is a pervasive issue that affects the well- being of individuals, particularly the elderly. The study aims to investigate the relationship between poverty and mental health outcomes among the elderly in Ovbiogie community. A cross-sectional survey design will be employed, and data will be collected from a sample of elderly individuals in the community. The study's findings will contribute to the understanding of the impact of poverty on the mental health of the elderly and inform the development of interventions to address this issue.

This study investigates the prevalence and nature of elder abuse in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, and evaluates the effectiveness of social work intervention strategies. It explores the socio-economic, health, and cultural challenges faced by older adults, including financial insecurity, inadequate healthcare access, and social isolation. The erosion of traditional family support systems due to urbanization and migration has left many elderly individuals vulnerable to neglect and mistreatment, highlighting the urgent need for formal care structures and culturally sensitive interventions. Using a quantitative research approach, 280 questionnaires were distributed, with 266 valid responses analyzed through descriptive statistics using SPSS. The findings reveal that psychological abuse is the most prevalent form of elder mistreatment, and that cultural values significantly influence caregiving practices. While informal care remains central, the study emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural understanding into social work practice to enhance the quality of care and support for older adults. The study concludes that effective social work interventions such as advocacy, counseling, caregiver training, and community sensitization are essential to improving the well-being of older adults. It recommends collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations, to develop sustainable elder care systems. These insights contribute to policy development, professional training, and future research aimed at safeguarding the dignity and rights of Nigeria’s aging population.