CORRELATES OF BROKEN HOMES AND THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY

his study sought the Correlates of Broken Homes and the Undergraduate Students Academic Performance in the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The major institution for humans is the family, also known as the household or home. Using a survey research method approach, this study investigates the major causes of broken homes among undergraduate students in the university of Benin, challenges they faced, coping strategies they employ to deal with the challenges and the institutional establishments available to help them. The findings of this study reveal that divorce or separation and prolonged parental absence are the major causes of broken homes. It also found that while both students from broken and intact homes face challenges, it is often more intense on those from broken homes. A majority ofthe respondents indicated that participating in study groups with their peers has helped them cope with some of the challenges. The study also found that institutional establishments are in place to help the students to cope with their challenges, although some are unaware of them. The study recommends that better programs should be established to help the students and also awareness programs to inform them the availability ofthe programs in the University of Benin. The study contributes to the literature on the impact of family structure on academic outcomes.