SOCIO-CULTURAL

This study examined the socio-cultural determinants of mental health among youth in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire as the primary instrument for data collection. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to youths residing in different parts of Benin City, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, including frequency distributions and percentages. The findings revealed that mental health challenges among youth in Benin City stem from multiple causes, including poverty, unemployment, family pressure, academic stress, and substance abuse. Furthermore, socio-cultural beliefs, stigma, and traditional perceptions of mental illness were identified as major factors influencing attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking behaviour. The study also found that social support systems remain weak, and limited access to affordable mental health care continues to worsen the problem. Social workers were observed to play a crucial role in the rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration of youth experiencing mental health issues, although their efforts are often constrained by inadequate resources and institutional support. The study concluded that mental health among youth in Benin City is largely shaped by socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors, which collectively determine the perception, experience, and management of mental illness. It therefore recommends that government agencies, community leaders, and social work practitioners intensify mental health education, challenge harmful cultural stereotypes, and expand youth-friendly mental health services. Strengthening social work practice and promoting community-based interventions were also emphasized as vital strategies for improving mental health outcomes among youths in Benin City.

This study examined the influence of socio-cultural factors on stress management among undergraduates in the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by the growing concern over the increasing rate of stress among university students and the limited attention given to the socio-cultural dimensions that influence stress experiences and coping mechanisms. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to allow for the collection of data from a large and diverse population of students. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a purposive sample of 100 undergraduates drawn from various faculties of the university. The instrument was divided into sections covering demographic characteristics, triggers of stress, stress prevalence, socio-cultural influences, and stress management techniques. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages to interpret students’ responses. The findings revealed that academic workload, financial challenges, family expectations, and peer pressure were the major stressors among students. The study further showed that female students experienced higher levels of stress than their male counterparts