Assessment of Psychological Well-being among Residents of Ilobu, Erin-Osun and Ifon-Osun in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Housing conditions are increasingly recognised as key social determinants of mental health, yet evidence from semi-urban Nigeria remains sparse. Objective: To quantify the prevalence and predictors of psychological well-being among adult residents of Ilobu, Erin-Osun and Ifon-Osun, Osun State, and to determine the extent to which housing quality and basic infrastructure explain mental-health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 383 adults (≥18 years) was conducted between March and May 2024. Psychological well-being was assessed with the WHO-5 index and categorised as high (≥60 %), moderate (40–59 %) or low (<40 %). A composite Housing Quality Index (0–10) captured dwelling type, room occupancy, ventilation, water, sanitation, electricity and refuse disposal. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, χ² tests, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression (SPSS v.25). Results: Only 29.2 % of respondents attained high psychological well-being; 45.2 % were moderate and 25.6 % low. There was a strong dose-response gradient: 72 % of residents in adequate (Type A) housing reported high-to-moderate well-being versus 51 % in sub-standard (Type C/D) dwellings (χ² = 12.84, p = 0.045). Housing Quality Index correlated positively with psychological well-being (r = 0.562, p < 0.001). ANOVA confirmed significant differences across housing-quality tertiles (F = 11.78, p < 0.001). Multiple regression (adjusted R² = 0.47) identified ventilation adequacy (β = 0.31), room occupancy (β = –0.28), water source reliability (β = 0.24) and electricity stability (β = 0.19) as the strongest predictors. Narrative data revealed that overcrowding, noise, tenure insecurity, and poor sanitation were cited three times more often by the low-well-being group. Conclusion: Housing quality is a critical, modifiable determinant of psychological well-being in these semi-urban communities. Integrated interventions targeting ventilation, overcrowding, water and electricity could shift up to one-quarter of residents from low to moderate/high well-being. Policies should embed mental-health outcomes into rural housing standards and primary-care programmes.