Effects of Self Esteem, Emotional Health and Social Competence on Romantic Relationship of Adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effects of self esteem, emotional health, and social competence on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria. Two hundred and eighty-five adolescents who are undergraduate students of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti Nigeria, with a mean age of 20.52 years, were randomly selected for the study. The research participants completed a questionnaire comprising of the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the General Health Questionnaire, the Relationships Scale Questionnaire and the Social Interaction Anxiety Questionnaire. Using a 2 by 2 by 2 Analysis of Variance, four hypotheses were tested and results showed that social competence; and emotional health had significant main effects on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria [F (1,240) =9.457; p<.05] and [F (1,240) =1.238; p<.05] respectively. However, self esteem had no significant main effect on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria [F (1,240) =0.414; p>.05. Furthermore, it was found out that there was a significant interaction effect of social competence and emotional health on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria [F (1,240) =2.086;p<.05]. There was also a significant interaction effect of self esteem and social competence on romantic relationship of adolescents [F (1,240) = 2.150; p<.05]. However, there was no significant interaction effect of self esteem and emotional health on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria, and no significant interaction effect of self esteem, emotional health, and social competence on romantic relationship of adolescents in Nigeria was found. The implications of the finding were discussed in light of available literature and it was suggested, among others, that parents, especially, should make efforts to ensure that the much needed affection and attention that is essential for their children.s social and psychological developments and well being are given to them. It is evident that negative self image, deficits in social competence or interpersonal relationship skills and psychological well being often results from a lack of proper parental care for their children and wards.

Key words: self esteem, social competence, emotional health, romantic relationships, adolescents, Nigeria