Abstract
This study focused on issues relating to adolescents’ perception of family
relationship in Nsukka Urban. Specifically, it determined indicators of
adolescents’ perception of family relationship; association between
adolescents’ relationship and their socio-demographic characteristics;
factors influencing the relationship. Cross sectional survey design was
adopted. Family relationship scale and a structured scale were used to
collect data. Population was made up of secondary school students between
16 – 19years in Nsukka Urban. Data were analyzed using means, standard
deviation and t-test at p<0.05 level of significance. Result shows that
respondents had strong adolescent/parent relationship with more family
expressiveness than cohesion and conflict. Male respondents had more
family cohesion and more expressiveness than the females but experienced
more family conflict. Chaotic family environment, amongst other factors,
influence adolescents’ family relationship. Age of the adolescents was
related to their family cohesion and expressiveness. There is strong
adolescent/parent relationship in the study area. Expressive aspect of
family relationship is experienced more by adolescents compared to
cohesion and conflict. Age is associated with family relationship. It was
recommended that tips on adolescents/parents relationship be included in
the curriculum at secondary school to enable the adolescents understand
how they can improve their relationship with their parents thereby
contributing to the overall positive home environment.