On behalf of the Editorial Board and my co-editors, I am delighted to present Volume Five of the African Journal of Human Development and Lifespan, published by the Association of Lifespan Behaviour Development Practitioners, formerly known as the Nigerian Association of Developmental Psychologists. This volume reflects the expanding transdisciplinary scope of human development scholarship and its intersections with health, religion, psychosocial well-being, family systems, and behavioural outcomes across the lifespan. The collection of articles in this issue illustrates the increasingly complex realities confronting individuals and communities in contemporary African societies, while also highlighting the central role of behavioural development practitioners in addressing these challenges through research, policy, and practice.
The studies featured in this volume illuminate critical concerns relating to adolescence, disability, mental health, stigma, ageing, spirituality, identity, and social behaviour in Nigeria. Collectively, they emphasize the urgent need for integrated psychosocial, educational, and policy-driven interventions that respond to the vulnerabilities experienced across different stages of human development.
Adeladan and Adejumo explored the psychological experiences of adolescents living with cerebral palsy in Ibadan through focus group discussions and interviews. Their findings revealed profound mental health challenges associated with physical disability, thereby underscoring the importance of integrating psychological care into cerebral palsy management and rehabilitation services. In a related health context, Amarachi Uchechi Janice Imonigie and Adebayo Adejumo examined the relationship between self-esteem, perceived stigmatization, and coping strategies among individuals living with sickle cell disease. Their study demonstrated that low self-esteem and stigmatization significantly predict maladaptive coping strategies, highlighting the need for psychosocial support systems that strengthen resilience and social inclusion.
Issues surrounding ageing and disability also receive considerable attention in this volume. Catherine Olajumoke Oyetunji-Alemede and colleagues found that disability among octogenarians in Nigeria is strongly shaped by demographic factors, with individuals aged 85 years and above experiencing substantially higher disability rates. Their work calls for targeted ageing policies and interventions aimed at improving the functional well-being and quality of life of older adults. Raphael Anike and Chineye Valentina Marire-Nwankwo further contributed to ageing studies by examining family support and resilience as predictors of successful ageing among retired civil servants in Enugu State. Although their findings indicated no significant predictive relationship, the study opens important conversations regarding alternative determinants of successful ageing within African contexts.
Adolescent mental health and behavioural development emerge prominently across several contributions. Ezekiel Ogenetejiri Aruoture and Joy Deborah Essien investigated the psychological consequences of toxic parenting, social media exposure, and suicidal ideation among adolescents in Lagos State. Their qualitative findings reveal significant emotional distress among adolescents and underscore the need for school-based psychosocial interventions and family-focused mental health support. Similarly, Morenikeji Akinyede and Abel Obosi examined the influence of social media on adolescents’ self-esteem and body image in Abeokuta, identifying social media use as a significant predictor of self-esteem. Their study advocates increased awareness and psychological interventions to support adolescents navigating digital environments.
The behavioural implications of peer influence and family dynamics are further examined in Aderonke Akintola’s study on perceived parental behaviour, religiosity, and peer pressure as predictors of adolescent sexual risk behaviour in Ibadan Metropolis. The findings reveal that parental psychological control, religiosity, and peer influence significantly shape risky sexual behaviours among adolescents, thereby reinforcing the importance of positive parent-child relationships and comprehensive sexuality education. In another study focusing on adolescent behaviour, Kehinde Bankole and colleagues assessed conduct disorder among in-school adolescents in Lagos State, revealing notable gender and school-type variations. Their work highlights the need for gender-responsive mental health interventions and early behavioural screening in schools.
Mental health and identity-related concerns among young adults also feature strongly in this issue. Job Dada Emmanuel investigated the influence of appearance anxiety and self-esteem on health-seeking behaviour among female university students in Nigeria. The findings showed that both variables significantly shape health-seeking behaviour, with self-esteem exhibiting a particularly strong effect. The study therefore recommends institutional mental health support and self-esteem enhancement programmes within tertiary institutions. Kelechi Eze and Ogochukwu Odeigaha also explored factors influencing sports betting behaviours among undergraduates, identifying age and gender as significant determinants. Their findings call for preventive educational programmes and responsible gambling initiatives within university communities.
Religion and spirituality remain central themes within African human development scholarship. Tinuoye Jamiu Uthman, Opeyemi Oyewunmi Ekundayo, and Paul Awoniyi examined the influence of spirituality and religiosity on breast cancer patients’ perceptions of remote prayer at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex. Their mixed-methods study found that while remote prayer provides emotional comfort and hope, excessive dependence on spiritual interventions may delay medical treatment. The study therefore advocates a balanced integration of spiritual support with evidence-based medical care.
Questions of identity, stigma, and cultural perception are also critically interrogated. Wakil Ajoibola Asekun and Elizabeth Olowookere examined the psychological experiences of individuals living with albinism in Lagos State, focusing on the effects of public stigma and culturally rooted stereotypes on mental health and social stress. Their study highlights the need for public enlightenment campaigns and social inclusion strategies. Likewise, Ifeyinwa Philippa Odiaka, Florence Ihekeremma Onuoha, Eboserebhen Sunday Esther, and Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala explored the effects of colonization on African women’s cultural identity in Delta State, emphasizing the importance of economic empowerment and indigenous values in fostering inclusive development and social transformation.
Finally, Olajide Olufunmilayo Aromoke and colleagues examined the effects of bullying and peer pressure on adolescents’ mental health in Ekiti State. Although their findings did not establish significant predictive relationships, the study nonetheless reinforces the importance of anti-bullying initiatives and continued longitudinal research into adolescent psychosocial experiences.
Taken together, the articles in this volume demonstrate the richness, diversity, and evolving nature of human development scholarship in Africa. They reveal that health and behavioural outcomes are deeply intertwined with social structures, cultural values, spirituality, family relationships, stigma, and institutional systems. As editors, we hope this volume will stimulate further scholarly engagement, inspire evidence-based interventions, and contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and professional practice within the fields of human development and lifespan studies.
We sincerely appreciate the authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Board whose commitment and scholarly contributions made this publication possible. We also thank our readers for their continued support and engagement with the journal. It is our hope that the insights presented in this volume will advance interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthen efforts toward improving human well-being across the lifespan in Africa and beyond.