ROOMMATE CONFLICTS IN CAMPUS HOSTELS: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES AT AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY, OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Roommate conflicts remain a significant challenge to peaceful cohabitation and student well-being within university hostels. These conflicts typically stem from divergent personal habits, misuse of belongings, poor communication, incompatible social behaviours, and differences in personal values or expectations. Such tensions can adversely impact students' emotional health, social interactions, and, to a lesser extent, academic engagement, thereby underscoring the need for targeted institutional interventions and support structures. This study investigates the causes, effects, and coping mechanisms associated with roommate conflicts at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. Using a descriptive survey design, the study involved 100 undergraduate students drawn from different hostels within the university campus. Data were collected through structured questionnaires based on a Likert scale to assess the causes, frequency, effects, and coping strategies related to roommate conflicts. Ethical considerations such as voluntary participation and confidentiality were strictly maintained throughout the research. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, including weighted means and standard deviations, to derive meaningful patterns and insights from the students’ responses. Findings reveal that roommate conflicts are common among students, yet many manage to remain academically focused despite ongoing interpersonal tensions. However, the emotional and social consequences are notable, with students frequently reporting experiences of stress, frustration, isolation, and reduced trust in their living environments. To cope with these challenges, most students rely on open communication, empathy, patience, and negotiation. Nonetheless, a number of students adopt less direct approaches, such as avoidance or seeking intervention from hostel authorities, reflecting varied strategies for managing roommate-related conflicts. The study concludes by highlighting the need for proactive interventions to reduce roommate conflicts in university hostels. It emphasizes student orientation, accessible counselling services, and efficient hostel management as key strategies. Additionally, the study recommends establishing peer mediation teams, organizing conflict resolution workshops, and implementing regular feedback systems. These measures aim to equip students with practical interpersonal skills, foster mutual understanding, and create a more peaceful, inclusive, and supportive residential environment within campus communities.