Investigating Insecurity and Students-Copping Strategies in Federal University of Lafia

Insecurity at the Federal University of Lafia has become a critical issue, affecting students' academic performance, mental health, and general well-being. The increasing rates of insecurity on campus have led students to develop various coping strategies to manage the challenges they face. This research investigates the insecurity and students coping strategies in Federal University of Lafia. The primary objective of this research is to identify the prevalent forms of insecurity faced by students and to assess the coping strategies they employ. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in mitigating the impact of insecurity on their academic and mental well-being. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for this study. Data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires to a sample size of 400 students, determined using Taro Yamane’s formula from the total population of 13,785 students. The 95% confidence level and a 5% error margin were used to ensure the representativeness of the sample. The data obtained from the survey were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis involved simple frequency distribution, percentages, and regression methods. Frequency distribution and percentage analysis were employed to interpret the data collected, while regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings from the analysis revealed that students commonly cope with insecurity by seeking social support from peers and family, engaging in relaxation techniques, and avoiding high-risk areas. However, despite employing these strategies, many students still experience emotional exhaustion, indicating that these methods are not entirely effective in reducing the psychological burden caused by insecurity. The results emphasized the urgency for the university to improve its security measures and enhance the availability of counseling services. The regression analysis supported the hypothesis that the existing coping strategies are insufficient, leading to continued emotional strain on students. The study recommends improving campus security, expanding counseling services, and encouraging students to adopt proactive safety measures to mitigate the impact of insecurity. Whiles students have developed coping strategies to deal with these issues, the study shows that these methods are not entirely effective. Strengthened security measures and enhanced support systems are essential for addressing the insecurity challenges faced by students on campus.