SELF SOCIAL ISOLATION

Self-social isolation has increasingly become a critical concern affecting the psychological, social, and academic development of university students. This study critically investigates the causes and consequences of self-social isolation among undergraduates as perceived by Education students in the University ofBenin. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the perceived causes of self-social isolation, examine its consequences, and identify possible strategies for reducing the problem among undergraduates. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin, from which a sample of 210 students was selected through a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, consisting of items aligned with the research questions and rated on a four-point Likert scale. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and its reliability was established using the test–retest and split-half methods. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage to determine the dominant responses of the participants The findings revealed that bullying, excessive phone use, working while studying and low self-esteem are major causes of self-social isolation among undergraduates. The results further showed that self-social isolation negatively affects students’ mental health and academic functioning, leading to depression, suicidal tendencies, cognitive decline, loss of motivation, and poor academic performance. Additionally, the study identified viable strategies or reducing isolation, such as improved mental health support services, increased peer interaction, enhanced social engagement activities, monitoring of screen time, and provision of academic support for struggling students. Based on these findings, the study concludes that self-social isolation poses a serious threat to students’ overall development, requiring early identification and proactive intervention. The study recommends that school authorities, teachers, guidance counselors, and policymakers adopt collaborative measures such as anti-bullying policies, counseling programs and inclusive social initiatives to support student well-being, promote social belonging and enhance academic success.