PSYCHO-SOCIAL PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Psychological well-being of female undergraduates in Nigerian universities is a critical concern due to rising academic stress, emotio23nal isolation, and declining self-worth. This study investigated perceived social support, loneliness, and self esteem predict psychological well-being of female undergraduates. Using a cross sectional survey, female undergraduates from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti responded to a compiled psychological instrument on social support, loneliness, self esteem, and psychological well-being. The result shows that there was significant joint prediction of social support, loneliness and self-esteem on psychological wellbeing, F(3,196) = 45.56, R2 = 0.41; p<.05]. The R2 =0.41 indicates that the independent variable of social support, loneliness and self-esteem explained 41% variation in dependent variable (Psychological wellbeing). Further results show that social support (β= .49; t= 5.32; p<.05), loneliness (β= .27; t= 3.18; p<.05) and self-esteem (β= .15; t= 2.17; p<.05) independently and significantly predict psychological well-being among female undergraduates. The findings offer valuable insights for higher education stakeholders in Nigeria, suggesting that evidence based, culturally sensitive programs targeting these variables can meaningfully enhance student mental health across campuses. By situating these results within established theories and recent empirical work, the present study affirms that enhancing social support, reducing loneliness, and fostering self-esteem are critical targets for promoting psychological well-being among female undergraduates. Interventions designed in alignment with stress-buffering, social provisions, and self esteem frameworks are likely to yield substantive benefits, ultimately supporting these students’ academic success and personal flourishing.