Christian Religiosity On Psycho-Social Adjustment Of The Aged In Cross River State, Nigeria.
Maria Enemeba Ngwu (Ph.D)
Department of Guidance and Counselling,University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Effiom, Bassey Ekeng (Ph.D)
Department of Guidance and Counselling,University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Lucy Obil Arop (Ph.D)
Department of Guidance and Counselling,University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Alice Akwaji Onine (Ph.D)
Department of Guidance and Counselling,University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Ebuara Mary Oshama
Department of Guidance and Counselling,University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Keywords: Christian Religiosity, Psychosocial, Adjustment, Aged, Supernatural
Abstract
The study examined the influence of Christian religiosity on psychosocial adjustment of the aged in Cross River State, Nigeria. Belief in supernatural being (God), church membership (in terms of the overall psychosocial adjustment) among the aged, were the sub-variables considered in the study. Two research questions guided the study and the study tested two hypotheses. Survey research design was adopted for the study, the population consisted of all aged people (65 years and above) in registered churches in Cross River State. The sample size consisted of five hundred and seventy two (572) subjects drawn from 10 churches using a multi-stage sampling technique procedure involving stratified, simple random, purposive and accidental sampling techniques. The main instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire titled “Christian Religiosity and Psychosocial Adjustment of the Aged Questionnaire (CRPAA-Q). Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviations, charts, simple linear regression Independent-t test and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses respectively. All hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Finding reveal that there is a statistical significant influence of Christian religiosity on psychosocial adjustment (in term overall health) among the aged in Cross River State. From the findings of the study, it was concluded that the aged involvement in Christian religious activity is useful for their psychosocial adjustment. It was recommended that the aged in our society should be encouraged to develop and maintain strong involvement in religious activities to help them adjust psychosocially and live a better life.