Abstract:
The study examined optimism, coping behavior and gender as predictors of psychological health among two hundred and twenty four (224) flood victims drawn from Lokoja and Bassa in Kogi State. Three hypotheses were tested. Optimism will significantly predict psychological health of flood victims. Coping behavior significantly predict psychological health of flood victims. Gender will significantly predict psychological health of flood Victims. Three instruments were used for data collection in the study, life orientation Test-Revised. Coping Behaviour Scale-Brief and the General Health Questionnaire. Regression analysis was used for data analysis and the result showed that optimism did not predict psychological health among flood victims. The result also indicated that coping behaviour predict psychological health among flood victims (β = .34, t = 5.38, P<.001). Gender also did not predict psychological health among flood victims. The implications and limitations of the findings were highlighted and suggestions made for further studies.
