ISSN 2360-7998
Abstract
The study determined the influence of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) on the wellbeing of students in selected private senior secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the influence of CRS on physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing, and spiritual wellbeing. It also determined gender differences in the impact of CRS on students’ wellbeing. A descriptive survey design was adopted. A structured questionnaire based on a four-point Likert scale was used to collect data from 300 students, comprising 230 students offering CRS and 70 students not offering the subject. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation) were used for research questions, and inferential statistics (t-tests) were used to analyse the data. Findings revealed that students offering CRS recorded significantly higher scores in all domains of wellbeing – physical, psychological, and spiritual – compared to those who did not offer the subject. The study also found no significant gender difference in the overall wellbeing of CRS students. These results suggest that CRS plays a critical role in promoting holistic development and resilience among senior secondary school students. Based on the findings, the study recommends the educational policymakers should reinforce the position of CRS as a compulsory subject in private and public senior secondary schools, and school administrators should create opportunities for faith-based discussions and mentorship programmes that integrate CRS teachings with student wellbeing practices and others.
Keywords: Christian Religious Studies, Wellbeing, Depression, Psychological, Holistic Development