Adjustment Need and Coping Strategies of Internally Displaced Secondary School Adolescents in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined adjustment need and coping strategies of internally displaced secondary school adolescents in Sokoto State, Nigeria The design of the study was ex-post factor design that adopted an exploratory descriptive research type. The study addressed four questions: What are the adjustment needs of internally displaced secondary school adolescents in Sokoto State? What are their coping strategies? Are there significant differences in the adjustment needs of internally displaced secondary school adolescents in Sokoto State on the basis of gender? Are there significant differences in the coping strategies of internally displaced secondary school adolescents in Sokoto State on the basis of gender? Adjustment Needs and Coping Strategy Questionnaire (ANCS was developed for the study. The questionnaire has Cronbatch alpha reliability coefficient of.973 for Section B and .893 for Section C. It was administered to 250 internally displaced secondary school adolescents. The responses to the questionnaire were summarized using percentages. Chi-square was computed to test for differences due to gender. The study found that overcoming examination fears, preparing for examination, concentrating in class, asking questions in the class and remembering facts learned were the adjustment strategies of internally displaced secondary school adolescents. Discussion with friends, discussion with parents and pretending were the coping strategies of internally displaced secondary school adolescents. Male and female internally displaced secondary school adolescents significantly differ on adjustment strategies but do not significantly differ on coping strategies. It was recommended among others that the Sokoto state government and relevant agencies should cater for the needs of internally displaced secondary school adolescents for them to be able to adjust effectively to their new found environment.