PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING AND EMOTIONAL STABILITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN ORPHANAGES IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The psychological functioning is an individual’s ability to cope with life on a daily basis and emotional stability depends on one’s ability to maintain emotional control in spite of stress but the absence of stable caregiving, exposure to psychosocial stressors and limited access to supportive resources often compromise the developmental trajectory of adolescents in orphanages. This study investigated the psychological functioning and emotional stability of adolescents residing in orphanages within Lagos State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study included a sampled of 200 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years across five orphanages in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area. A multistage sampling approach was employed, and data were collected using validated instruments such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Emotional Stability Scale (ESS). The data were collected through five point Likert scale (5-likert scale) and analysed using mean, standard deviation and ranking. The findings showed moderate levels of positive peer interactions, indicating compensatory social mechanisms, mild psychological functioning and low emotional stability scores reflecting poor emotional regulation, heightened sensitivity to stress and reduced resilience, with respondents reporting enjoying participating in group activities (mean=2.88), confident in expressing thought and feelings (mean=2.78), able to cope when things are not going well (mean=2.73) but having difficulties in concentration (mean=2.40), difficulty in controlling anger (mean=2.73), sad and hopeless (mean=2.69); calmness in challenges (Mean=2.11), easily discouraged during mistakes (Mean=2.91) and changing emotions quickly (Mean=2.69). However, institutional and environmental factors, including limited access to basic amenities, inadequate caregiver support and lack of privacy, were significant determinants of emotional and psychological well-being. The study concluded that the psychological well-being of adolescents in orphanages is significantly influenced by environmental deprivation and the quality of psychosocial interventions. Recommendation, the government or owners of orphanages in collaboration with funders should train the staff in orphanages on stress/trauma management skills and provide basic amenities to support the psychosocial and emotional well-being of the adolescents in the orphanages.

Keywords: Adolescents, psychological functioning, emotional stability, orphanages