Self-Esteem, Perceived Control and Communal Relationship Strength as Predictors of Emotional Distress in Nigerian University Students.

Abstract

This study attempted to determine whether self-esteem, perceived control and communal relationship strength would predict emotional distress in Nigerian university students. 148 students from a Christian university and 158 students from a Secular university responded to measures of the variables listed above. It was hypothesized that: (i) Students from the Christian university would show higher levels of self-esteem, perceived control and communal relationship strength and lower levels of emotional distress than Students from the Secular university; (ii) There would be significant correlations between the variables; (iii) The listed variables would predict emotional distress in the students. The results of the study provide partial support for the hypotheses and showed that (i) Christian university students showed higher levels of communal strength towards their best friend and overall communal strength; (ii) Perceived control predicted emotional distress in the students; (iii) When all the students were considered together perceived control was the strongest predictor of emotional distress while self-esteem was the strongest predictor of emotional distress for Christian university students.