AN ASSSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPACT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING IN NIGERIA

AN ASSSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPACT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING IN NIGERIA

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Communication, according to Greg Duran (2010), is the foundation of any interaction in today's society, including families, schools, and the globe at large, because information can never be communicated or conveyed without communication. As we all know, communication entails the exchange of ideas and the transmission of information from one person to another, and it can be positive or negative, successful or ineffective. Communication is a two-way street; the exchanging of information that aids in the development of a shared understanding between two parties, and both participants play an active role in the process. A person sends a message to guarantee that it is clearly conveyed and understood, while the message recipient must be an active listener to verify that the message given was correctly received and comprehended. Communication occurs only when the listener completely understands the message being sent by the spokesperson. Communication allows parents and children to express their thoughts and feelings to one another, which means that it is critical for parents to communicate openly and effectively with their children in order to build trust, develop honesty, and develop respectful relationships, which benefits not only the children but every member of the family. Conversation or the exchange of information between two or more people constitutes effective communication. Effective communication skills are acquired and can be supplemented or enhanced via more understanding and practice. Message sending and message receiving actions are required for communication to be deemed effective. This can be accomplished through both direct and indirect methods. When message senders and message receivers both grasp the message, effective communication happens. This can be accomplished by either speech/verbal communication or the use of nonverbal modes of communication. Effective communication is an act that is meant to transfer meanings from one person or group to another via the use of mutually understood signals and semiotic norms. The platform for efficient communication can be visual (through the eyes), auditory (via the ears), tactile (by the sense of feeling, as in Braille), haptic, and olfactory (use of nose). Human communication, on the other hand, is unique in its wide use of theoretical language. This has made place for social progress and civilization, both of which are fundamental ideas strongly connected with situations that encourage good communication among its people. Effective communication contributes to the strengthening of the parent-child bond and enhances mutual understanding. According to this statement, the way parents connect with their children may either make or break them. In light of this assumption, it is clear that parents who did not speak to their kid about topics of interest at a young age should not expect the child to readily communicate his/her questions and thoughts about topics of interest when the child reaches a certain age.

The link between parents and their children's well-being is an extremely important factor in the personality formation and, in particular, the socialization of the kid from infancy to childhood and, eventually, adolescence (Meng, 1998). Children often go through a number of unstable stages with the greatest agility and the greatest disaster, which are defined by a sense of independence, criticality, and expectedness, as well as physiological maturation. However, any breakdown or lapse in each party's position and rights (parent and kid) is detrimental to the sustainability of their current connection. Effective communication in the context of the parent-child relationship can be defined as the ability of family members (parents and children) to exchange and interact on their needs, feelings, and desires with one another, as well as to pay attention to the children's dynamically changing needs, especially in a positive way (Barnes & Olson, 1985). The efficacy of parental–child communication contributes to the survival of the parent–child connection, which inevitably predicts children's well-being (Broberg, 2012). Several pollsters who studied the impact of parent–child relationships on children's wellbeing, growth, and psychological health discovered that a lack of an effective and supportive communication link between parent and child can lead to a number of social, emotional, and health-related unhelpful developmental trajectories (Clayton, 2014). Effective communication in the connection between parents and children is a communication perspective that is typically defined by the nature of the family in terms of closeness and trusting relationships. The primary objective of successful communication is to comprehend the interactions of the parent-child connection as well as the patterns of behavior of nuclear family members in various settings. However, open and honest communication creates an environment in which parents and their children may express their disagreements as well as their love and approval for one another. 

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Evidence from several developed nations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, suggests that the communication pattern used by parents to groom their children may impact the children's well-being, self-esteem, and academic success in school. However, given their distinct socio-cultural backgrounds, it is unclear how much parent-child communication patterns impact children's well-being, self-esteem, and performance. The researcher's concern is that it is unknown whether these communication patterns differ between parents. One does not know how the efficacy of parent-child communication patterns influences the children. Furthermore, it is unknown how parental-child communication patterns effect children's relationships with their parents. The problem of this study is, to put it plainly, that there is a favorable association between excellent parent-child communication and children's well-being.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The general aim  of this study is to examine the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria. Specifically, the study will;

1. Determine if there is a positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being.
2. Ascertain if any negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship.
3. Analyze the effect of effective parent-child communication on children.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The following hypothetical statements will be validated in the course of this study;

H01: There is no positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being.

H02: No negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important in that it helps the general reader, most importantly parents in understanding the forms, bases and positive effects of effective communication in the family structure, precisely towards the children.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Generally, the study is focused on examining the impact of effective communication in the relationship between parents and their children's well-being in Nigeria. However, the study will further and specifically determine if there is a positive relationship between effective parent-child communication and children’s well-being, ascertain if any negative relationship exist between ineffective communication and parent-child relationship, and analyze the effect of effective parent-child communication on children. The respondents for this study will be obtained from students of some selected secondary schools in Awka, Anambra State.

1.7. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. 

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Communication: This is the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

Parent-child communication: This  is the verbal and nonverbal interaction between a parent and child within a family system.

Parent-child relationship: This is one that nurtures the physical, emotional, and social development of the child. It's a unique bond that every child and parent experience, enjoy and nurture.

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