Impact of Single Parenthood on the Psychosocial Development of Adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State

This study investigates the impact of single parenthood on the psychosocial development of adolescents in selected communities in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Single-parent households have increased significantly in Nigerian urban centres over the last decade, raising developmental concerns about the long-term wellbeing of children raised in such contexts. Anchored in Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this research adopted a descriptive survey design to assess identity formation, self-concept, and social adjustment in 350 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years. Equal proportions were drawn from single-mother, single-father, and two-parent households for comparative analysis. Standardised instruments including the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered. Results reveal that adolescents from single-parent homes report significantly lower self-esteem and social adjustment scores compared to peers from two-parent families. However, quality of parental warmth and community support networks were found to moderate these effects considerably. The study notes that adolescents raised by engaged single mothers showed developmental outcomes comparable to those in dual-parent homes when economic stability was adequate. Recommendations include community support programmes and school-based psychosocial interventions targeting adolescents from fragmented family structures in Ibadan. Keywords: single parenthood, psychosocial development, adolescents, Ibadan, self-esteem.