Practicum Psychologia

Moderating Role of Locus of Control on the Relationships between Grit and Test Anxiety among Undergraduates in Public Universities in Anambra State, Nigeria

2025-04-20T11:13:57+00:00

This study investigated the moderating role of locus of control on the relationship between grit and test anxiety among undergraduates in public universities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Total of 381 undergraduates selected through simple random sampling and accidental sampling from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu university, igbariam served as participants. The sample comprised 134 males and 247 females, aged 18–37 years (M = 24.14, SD = 5.77). Standardized measures were utilized, including the Grit Scale (assessing perseverance and passion for long-term goals), the Test Anxiety Inventory (evaluating test anxiety levels), and Rotter's Locus of Control Scale (determining internal versus external orientation). A correlational research design was employed, and Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to test the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that grit negatively correlated with students’ test anxiety at (F2, 378), β= -.22, p<.01. Internal locus of control did not moderate the relationship between grit and test anxiety at (F6, 374), β= .02, p>.05. External locus of control moderated the relationship between grit and test anxiety at (F6, 374), β= .25, p<.01. These results highlighted the critical role of locus of control in shaping how grit influenced test anxiety. The study emphasized the need for interventions to develop grit while fostering locus of control to reduce test anxiety among students. Implications for educational practices, counselling strategies, and future research are discussed.

Assessment of Gender Inequality and Disparity in Remunerations of Employees in Nigeria Civil Service

2025-04-20T11:08:55+00:00

This study assessed gender inequality and disparity in the remunerations of employees in Nigerian Civil Service: a study of Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue, Awka. The study objectives also examined prevalence, causes, effects and ways through which gender inequality and disparity in the remuneration of employees can be curtailed. Four theories were reviewed namely undervaluation theory, theory of sexism, relative deprivation theory and Marxian theory. The study adopted two theories as the theoretical framework namely undervaluation and relative deprivation theories. The study used mixed methods research design for data collection and analysis. A sample size of 204 respondents was used. The quantitative data collected were processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, simple percentages, and charts, while the qualitative data were analyzed using Nvivo (Version 2.0) software. Two hypotheses were tested using the Chi square ( ) test statistics. Results found amongst other things, that causes of gender disparity among male and female workers include lack of required skill sets, level of education, family background, place of residence, age and scarcity of job opportunities which often force female employees to accept low paying jobs. Effects of gender disparity on employees in Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue include low productivity, workplace accidents, depression, toxic work environment, and poor living conditions. The study therefore recommends among other things, that there is need for a more robust awareness creation on the dangers of gender inequality, payment disparity and discrimination in the workplace.

Prevailing Effects of Narcotic Abuse Among Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

2025-04-20T11:03:22+00:00

This study investigated prevailing effects of narcotic abuse among undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study objectives included prevalence of narcotic abuse, causes of narcotic abuse amongst undergraduates, effects of narcotic abuse among undergraduates and ways of curtailing narcotic abuse. Three theories were examined namely psychological theory of crime, differential association theory and strain theory. Differential association theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. The study adopted the mixed methods research design. The target population was 24,706 regular undergraduates, aged 18 years and above studying in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The study sampled 204 respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used. Multi-stage involves the use of purposive sampling (i.e. non-probability sampling method) and other successive types of probability sampling method in selecting the respondents. The quantitative data collected were processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, frequency counts and graphic illustrations while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic method of data analysis. Two hypotheses were tested using Chi–square (X2) test statistics. Findings indicated that there is high prevalence of narcotic abuse among students of NAU. Majority of the respondents engage in abuse of narcotics such as marijuana, heroin, and morphine/opium. Data analyzed showed that the causes of narcotic abuse among students include peer group pressure, negative family experience, broken home, cultism, availability of narcotics in the neighbourhood and boosting self-confidence. The study confirmed that undergraduates, who engage in narcotic abuse are likely to experience poor academic performance, consent to unsafe sex due to influence of narcotic, examination malpractice bullies, etc. Based on these findings, it was recommended amongst others that awareness creation on the dangers of consuming narcotic substances should be organized. Also, undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka should sign an undertaken not to do drugs.

Determinants of Gender Inequalities affecting Women’s Participation in Higher Educational Institutions in Maiduguri

2025-04-20T10:56:56+00:00

This study assessed the determinants of gender inequalities affecting women’s participation in higher educational institutions in Maiduguri. The study aimed at determining prevailing gender inequalities faced by women participating in higher education, the factors, and efforts of empowerment strategies to address these inequalities. The study was anchored on the patriarchal theory of state and adopted mixed method design of qualitative and quantitative. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 295 respondents using structured questionnaire design. The data was collected, transcribed, and analysed using statistical package for social sciences. The study revealed that cultural bias against women prevented their appointment to top administrative leadership positions in higher educational institutions. The findings of this study also revealed patriarchal beliefs against women’s position in the society placed them as recipient of persistent inequality practices. The study also revealed that empowerment strategies like education are other measures that can be used to address inequality practices against women. The study recommends improved government efforts at enforcing policies and prosecution of human right violation to achieve human right of women in the society. The study also recommends mainstreaming gender perspectives in higher educational institutions.

Job Crafting Behaviour among Public Sector Employees

2025-04-20T10:52:11+00:00

Job crafting has been introduced to describe how employees adapt their jobs to their preferences and needs. This has gained significant attention in the organizational behaviour literature. Based on the, this study examined the predictive effect of psychological flexibility and career sense of calling on public servants’ job crafting behaviour. A cross-sectional design and quantitative approach for data collection were utilized. Convenience sampling was utilized for selecting 200 university administrative employees from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. The participants comprised 89 males and 111 females with a mean age of 37.84 years (SD= ±9.96). Standardized self-report measures of psychological flexibility, career sense of calling, and job crafting behaviour scales were used for collecting data from the participants while regression analysis was used for testing the hypotheses via the IBM-SPSS Statistics v25. The results indicated that psychological flexibility (B= .40, t[200] = 11.38, p< .05) and career sense of calling (B= .28, t[200] = 7.55,p< .05) significantly predict job crafting behaviour. The combined effect of psychological flexibility and career sense of calling was also significant. The results of the study highlighted the importance of psychological flexibility and career sense of calling in predicting job crafting behaviour among university administrative employees. It was recommended that organisations should engage (during the recruitment stage) employees with a higher sense of calling for the job, recruited and trained as this has positive implications for job crafting.

The Place of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism Practice

2025-04-20T11:11:27+00:00

Journalism practice has witnessed eras and paradigm shifts as far back as humanity has existed, and these eras are characterized by changes in journalism practice and landscape. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into journalism practice is relatively new in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State, where technological advancements seem to be growing. Thus, the current study investigated the place of artificial intelligence in journalism practice among journalists in Anambra State. The study was grounded in Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Technological Determinism Theory. The study adopted the mixed methods research design integrating both survey and in-depth interview. The study adopted census sampling technique in selecting all 265 registered practicing journalists in Anambra State. Both descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data collected for the study respectively. The study found that journalists in the state possess substantial knowledge about AI and its application in journalism. The study also found that hindrance to AI integration in journalism include resistance to new technology, lack of requisite ICT knowledge and lack of finance. The study concluded that despite significant knowledge about AI's potential for enhancing news production, fact-checking, and personalized content delivery by journalists, barriers such as financial constraints, technological resistance, and inadequate ICT skills hinder its full adoption. The study thus recommends among others that media houses across Nigeria, with guidance from the National Broadcasting Commission, should implement policies that support the gradual shift toward technologically driven broadcasting.

Determinants and Consequences of Cultism amongst the Undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

2025-04-20T11:06:35+00:00

This study investigated determinants and consequences of cultism amongst students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The study objectives looked at prevalence, determinants, consequences, and ways to eradicate cultism among students. Four theories were examined namely differential association theory, opportunist theory, strain theory and social control theory. The study adopted two theories as the theoretical framework namely differential association theory and the opportunist theory. Mixed methods research design was used. The target population was 24,706 regular students aged 16 years and above schooling in NAU Awka. The study sampled 202 respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used. The quantitative data collected were processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as simple percentages and frequency counts while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic method of data analysis. Two hypotheses were tested using Chi–square (X2) test statistic. Findings indicated that there is moderate prevalence of cultism in NAU Awka. Data analysed showed that major determinants of cultism include peer pressure, revenge, poor parenting, drug abuse and poverty. The study confirmed that students who engage in cultism are likely to experience poor academic performance, loss of lives and valuables, disruption of academic activities, and closure of small-scale businesses within the school premises. Based on these findings, it was recommended amongst others that the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka should create adequate awareness on the dangers of cultism on the lives of undergraduates. Also, government and nongovernmental agencies should step up their campaigns against cultism because of its destructive tendencies in our universities and the general society.

Psychosocial Determinants of Antisocial Behaviours Among Incarcerated Inmates at a Medium Security Correctional Facility in Northeastern Nigeria

2025-04-20T10:59:29+00:00

The study investigated adverse childhood experiences and cannabis use as determinants of antisocial behaviours of inmates at a medium security prison in north-east, Nigeria. The motivation for the study was due to observed paucity of empirical research on antisocial behaviours and associated risks among inmates in the area, despite anecdotal evidence of persistent involvement of youths in violent and destructive behaviours that violates social norms and expectations. Correlational survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 123 inmates were recruited at a Medium Correctional Centre, Biu, through simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using multiple and Linear regression analysis to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that adverse childhood experiences, particularly early experience of parental neglect and sexual abuse predicted future antisocial behaviours. Also, cannabis use among inmates and its interaction with traumatic experiences predicted greater problems. The implication of this result is that early exposure to adverse traumatic events and subsequent involvement in drug use may lead to antisocial behaviours, significantly resulting to security threats and spurt in incarceration with other attendant consequences. Thus, it was recommended, among others, that parents and other stakeholders should provide early support to children who are victims of neglect and sexual abuse to prevent future development of antisocial behaviours and security problems in the northeast region.

Perception and Responsiveness of Broadcast Media Campaign on Family Planning Methods among Resident Married Men in Anambra North Senatorial District

2025-04-20T10:54:39+00:00

The process of planning and deciding the time to have children, generally referred to as family planning, has been viewed by many as a foreign contraption and not meant for the African man. This, therefore necessitated the study to investigate the perception and responsiveness of married men on broadcast media campaign on family planning methods among Anambra North residents of Anambra State. The study adopted the theory of reasoned action (TRA). A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Research questions were raised to guide the study. The population of the study was 1,496,000 (One Million Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand) persons made up of married men from Anambra North Senatorial Zone of Anambra, Nigeria. A multi-staged random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A sample size of 400 was gotten using the Taro-Yamani formula. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using frequency and percentage. The study revealed that married men’s awareness about family planning is high, perception of men towards some family planning measures is positive though felt it’s a woman’s thing. The study therefore recommended among others, that the government and civil societies partner to reach out to traditional rulers and community chiefs to conduct health orientation programmes in various communities in Anambra North on repositioning and importance of family planning.