COPING-STRATEGIES AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICALWELLBEING OF STUDENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES IN INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Inclusive education has been seen as a means to ensure equal access to quality basic education for all learners by efficiently meeting their varied needs. Every individual desires a happy and healthy life, and inclusive education plays a vital role in promoting psychological well-being, especially for students with disabilities. Inclusive education is gaining attention in Nigeria, with Lagos State leading in implementing policies that foster inclusive learning environments. Effective coping strategies are crucial for improving students' psychological well-being. This study, therefore, examined coping strategies as predictors of the psychological well-being of students with and without disabilities in inclusive basic schools in Lagos State. The study adopted a correlational research design. The respondents for this study comprised nine basic students, both with and without disabilities. A census method was used to select all 931 students from the seven inclusive basic schools in Lagos State. The Coping Strategies Questionnaire and psychological well-being scale were adapted and used to gather data for the study. Mean rating and percentage were used to answer research questions, and hierarchical regression was used to test the research hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. The finding showed that students with disability mostly used problem-focused and avoidance coping strategies, while students without disabilities used problem-focused and seeking social support coping strategies. Also, the level of psychological well-being of students with and without disabilities was moderate. The study therefore recommended, amongst others, that: Inclusive schools should organize inclusive cocurricular activities and events that allow students with and without disabilities to participate together, promoting a sense of belonging and teamwork, which may likely help them in sustaining or increasing the moderate level of psychological well-being.