GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This study examines physical and emotional child abuse as determinants of low self-concept among primary school pupils in Uyo Local Government AreaIn carrying out this study, an ex post facto research design was adopted. The study was conducted in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The target population consisted of all Primary Five pupils in Uyo Local Government Area. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 30 respondents from each of the four clans in Uyo Local Government Area (Ikono, Oku, Etoi, and Offot clans), giving a total sample size of 120 respondents. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Physical and Emotional Child Abuse as Determinants of Low Self-Concept Questionnaire” (PECALSCQ). Face and content validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in Test, Measurement, and Evaluation to ensure its accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness for the study. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.86, which was considered sufficiently high to justify the use of the instrument. The data generated for this study were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics to answer the research questions and regression analysis to test the hypothesis. Based on these findings, the study concluded that child abuse in any form poses a serious threat to the healthy development of children’s self-concept. One of the recommendation made was that parents, teachers, and policymakers should adopt preventive and intervention strategies, including parental education, counseling services, and strict enforcement of child protection laws, to safeguard children and promote positive self-development.