The Role of Psychosocial Empowerment Strategies in Promoting Resilience and Well Being Among Marginalized Urban Youths Through Social Work Practice in Ibadan, Oyo State

This study examined the role of psychosocial empowerment strategies in promoting resilience and well-being among marginalized urban youths through social work practice in Ibadan, Oyo State. Urban marginalized youths face poverty, exclusion, and limited psychosocial support, which harm their mental health and coping abilities. The study explored how social work interventions counseling, mentorship, life skills training, and psychoeducation can effectively enhance resilience and well-being in this vulnerable group. Using a quantitative design, survey data were collected from 154 youths in selected Ibadan communities. Data analysis employed ANOVA and multiple regression techniques. ANOVA showed a statistically significant effect of psychosocial empowerment strategies on resilience and well-being (F(1,136) = 1.712, p = 0.032), confirming the positive impact of empowerment-based interventions. Multiple regression analysis revealed that these strategies jointly predicted resilience and well-being (F(4,149) = 22.88, p < 0.001), with an R2 of 0.381 indicating that 38.1% of the variance in outcomes was due to the four strategies. Among the strategies, counseling (β = 0.278, p < 0.001) and mentorship (β = 0.243, p = 0.003) were the most influential, while life skills training (β = 0.168, p = 0.027) had a moderate effect. Although psychoeducation showed a positive association, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.088). These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing counseling and mentorship in social work programs designed for marginalized youth. By focusing on these strategies, social workers can foster resilience, improve mental well-being, and support positive youth development in urban settings.