Project – Prayer as a Tool for Coping with Relationship Stress Among University Students: A Case Study of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Abuja

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

University life is often a period of intense personal, academic, and social development. Students navigate academic pressures, emerging independence, peer influence, and the formation of intimate relationships. While these relationships can provide emotional support and personal fulfillment, they can also be sources of stress due to misunderstandings, conflicts, or unmet expectations (Furman & Buhrmester, 2009). Relationship stress, if poorly managed, has been linked to anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and decreased overall well-being among university students (Sirois & Hirsch, 2019).

Prayer is a spiritual practice widely employed by individuals as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, and life challenges. In Christian contexts, prayer is not only an act of communication with God but also a source of emotional regulation, comfort, and resilience (Pargament, 1997). For university students who belong to religious organizations such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), prayer is often integrated into daily routines, fellowship activities, and personal reflection, serving as a tool to cope with both personal and relational stressors.

Previous studies have highlighted the psychological benefits of prayer in reducing stress, enhancing emotional well-being, and promoting positive coping strategies (Koenig, 2012). Within university settings, students often face relational challenges such as misunderstandings, breakups, peer pressure, and social isolation, which can negatively affect mental health. Christian students often turn to prayer for guidance, patience, and support, seeking divine intervention to navigate these relational challenges (Wachholtz & Pargament, 2005).

In the Nigerian context, particularly in urban centers like Abuja, university students face additional socio-cultural pressures that can intensify relationship stress, including societal expectations, academic competitiveness, and financial constraints (Adebayo, 2018). Despite the prevalence of prayer among students, empirical research examining its effectiveness as a tool for coping with relationship stress is limited. Most studies focus broadly on religiosity or general stress coping without isolating the specific influence of prayer on relationship stress (Mahoney, Pargament, & Tarakeshwar, 2001).

This study seeks to fill this gap by investigating how prayer functions as a coping strategy among university students affiliated with RCCG in Abuja, examining both its perceived effectiveness and its association with emotional well-being in the context of relationship stress.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Relationship stress is a common experience among university students and can significantly affect academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Students who experience stress in their romantic or social relationships often report anxiety, depression, and emotional instability (Furman & Buhrmester, 2009; Sirois & Hirsch, 2019). Although many students engage in religious practices such as prayer to cope with these challenges, there is limited empirical evidence in Nigeria regarding how prayer specifically helps university students manage relationship stress.

In RCCG university fellowships, prayer is frequently recommended as a coping strategy for personal and relational challenges. However, the effectiveness of this approach in mitigating stress and enhancing emotional resilience remains largely anecdotal. Questions remain as to whether prayer reduces the psychological impact of relationship stress, improves emotional regulation, and supports healthy coping behaviors among students. Without systematic research, church leaders and university counselors lack evidence-based guidance on how to incorporate prayer effectively as a supportive intervention for students experiencing relationship stress.

Thus, the problem this study addresses is the lack of empirical understanding regarding the role of prayer in coping with relationship stress among university students in Abuja, particularly within the context of RCCG student fellowships.

1.3 Research Objectives

General Objective:
To examine the role of prayer as a tool for coping with relationship stress among university students in RCCG, Abuja.

Specific Objectives:

1. To determine the extent to which university students engage in prayer when experiencing relationship stress.
2. To examine the perceived effectiveness of prayer in managing relationship stress.
3. To investigate the association between prayer and emotional well-being among students experiencing relationship stress.
4. To identify challenges faced by students in using prayer as a coping strategy for relationship stress.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How often do university students engage in prayer when facing relationship stress?
2. How effective do students perceive prayer to be in coping with relationship stress?
3. Is there an association between prayer and emotional well-being among students experiencing relationship stress?
4. What challenges do students encounter in using prayer as a coping mechanism for relationship stress?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Prayer has no significant impact on coping with relationship stress among university students in RCCG, Abuja.

H1: Prayer has a significant impact on coping with relationship stress among university students in RCCG, Abuja.

1.6 Significance of the Study

• Academic Contribution: This study adds empirical evidence to the literature on religious coping strategies and the role of prayer in managing relationship stress among young adults.
• Practical Application: Findings can guide RCCG student fellowship leaders and university counselors in supporting students’ emotional and relational well-being.
• Policy Implications: Results may inform the development of faith-based mental health programs and interventions within university settings.
• Student Awareness: The study can help students understand how prayer may be effectively used as a coping strategy for relationship stress.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on university students who are active members of the RCCG in Abuja. It investigates the role of prayer specifically as a coping mechanism for relationship stress and does not cover other forms of stress, secular coping strategies, or non-Christian religious practices.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

• Self-Report Bias: Students may overstate the effectiveness of prayer due to religious or social desirability.
• Generalisability: Findings may not extend to students outside RCCG fellowships or outside Abuja.
• Variation in Prayer Practices: Differences in frequency, style, and intensity of prayer among students may affect consistency in outcomes.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

• Prayer: A spiritual practice of communicating with God for guidance, support, and intervention.
• Relationship Stress: Emotional strain arising from interpersonal conflicts, misunderstandings, or challenges within romantic or close relationships.
• Coping: Strategies employed to manage stress and maintain emotional well-being.
• University Students: Individuals enrolled in tertiary institutions in Abuja who are members of RCCG.

Project – Prayer as a Tool for Coping with Relationship Stress Among University Students: A Case Study of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Abuja