Socio-environmental Factors as Determinants of Social Well-being of Adolescents in Foster Homes in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: This study sets to discover the socio-environmental factors as determinants of social well-being of adolescents in foster homes in Southwestern Nigeria. Study Design: This study was a descriptive survey. Study Area: The study was carried out in the six States in Southwestern Nigeria. Methodology: Study participants were selected among adolescents in foster homes using stratified, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques, the data collection was done using Questionnaire (which contained three separate standardized instruments: Socio-Environmental Factors Scale (SEFS), Social Well-Being Scale (SWBS) and Adolescent Fostering Questionnaire (AFQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The results showed that peer influence, academic performance and attitude of the foster family were significant to social wellbeing of the adolescents. This result shows that although all the components of social factors correlated with the social well-being of the fostered adolescents, there is an insignificant relationship between social well-being and environmental factors of the fostered adolescents. Some (24.5%) of the adolescents saw their neighbors as very supportive and friendly and are welcoming to them. 13.7% were unable to decide on their neighbor’s character towards them 7.7% noticed their neighbors pitying them always, although most of them cannot say their minds out. Conclusion: Fostered adolescents undergo more challenges within the child welfare system that may further compromise their social well-being. Adolescents in foster care, are exposed to risk factors such as poverty and maltreatment, which negatively affect their social skills. Providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for the adolescents may wane the deleterious effects of their experiences by exposing them to protective factors that can encourage resilience.