Religiosity And Perceived Family Support As Correlate Of Nigerian University Undergraduates Self-Esteem

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of religiosity and perceived family support on self-esteem levels of undergraduate students in a Nigerian university.
The participants were purposively selected from all faculties and student\'s non-denominational religion associations in one Federal University in Nigeria.
500 participants filled out a questionnaire of four sections. The result of the analyses shows that the relationship between undergraduate religiosity ratings and self-esteem ratings is not significant (r = 0.09) also, the influence of religiosity level on self-esteem level is not significant (χ2 = 2.61, ρ > .05). More so, the difference in the self-esteem levels of Christian and Muslim undergraduates is not significant (F = 0.22, p > .05). However there is a significant influence of level of perceived family support on self-esteem level (χ2 = 92.68, ρ < .05). This is supported by the significant difference in the self-esteem ratings of undergraduates from monogamous and polygamous families (t = 8.98, p < .05). It therefore implies that perceived family support influences self-esteem. Thus, increasing the amount of family support an undergraduate receives and perceives will increase their self-esteem.


IFE PsychologIA Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 198-211