THE IMPACT OF PEERS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS MENTALLY ILL STUDENTS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SCHOOL DROPOUT AMONG STUDENTS ATTENDING PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS IN SOKOTO AND KEBBI STATES

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between mental health stigma and school dropout and the nature of peer relationships toward students with mental health problems attending psychiatric hospitals in Sokoto and Kebbi States, Nigeria. The study employed a mixed-method design using questionnaire and observation checklist data. The population comprised student patients attending Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto, and the Psychiatric Unit of Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, as well as SS II students in selected secondary schools in the two states. A sample of 325 student patients was used for the school-dropout analysis, while 341 respondents were used for the peer-relationship analysis. Pearson product-moment correlation was used to test the relationship between mental health stigma and school dropout, while chi-square analysis was used to examine the relationship between mental illness and peer relationships. Observation data were summarized using frequencies and percentages. The findings showed a significant relationship between mental health stigma and school dropout, r(311) = -.129, p = .023, and a significant relationship between mental illness and peer relationship, χ² = 4.088, p = .041. Observation findings further indicated that 59.9% of the observed students appeared to experience discrimination in the playground, 64.7% appeared lonely or avoided crowds, and only 18.6% appeared to have cordial relationships with peers. The study concludes that stigma and negative peer attitudes constitute important social and educational challenges for students living with mental health problems. The study recommends school-based mental-health education, anti-stigma programmes, counselling, supportive school climates, and structured cooperative peer activities.