Journal of Guidance and Counselling Studies

Effect of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy on Health Risk-Taking Behaviour of In-School Adolescents in Abia State

N. E. Obochi — 2024-05-07

This study explored the effect of rational emotive behaviour therapy on health risk-taking behaviour of in-school adolescents in Abia State. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The sample size of the study consisted of 32 in-school adolescents who were purposefully drawn from 778 senior secondary class II students with Health risk-taking behaviours in Abia State. The instrument used for data collection was a 30-item questionnaire titled Adolescents’ Health Risk-Taking Behaviour Identification Questionnaire (AHRTBIQ). The instrument was validated by three experts in order to establish its face validity. The reliability of the instrument was established using Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient to establish the stability of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of 0.87; while Cronbach Alpha method was used to establish the internal consistency of the instrument, and the result indicated index values of 0.76. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The results among others showed that rational emotive behaviour therapy resulted to reduction of health risk-taking behaviour of in-school adolescents in Abia State at both the post-test and follow-up.

Psychological Capital as a Correlate of Academic Engagement of In-School Adolescents in Anambra State

S. C. OKEOMA — 2024-03-16

Using correlational research design, this study sought to establish the relationship betweenpsychological capital and academic engagement of in-school adolescents in Anambra State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study consisted of all the 12, 172 Senior Secondary School (SS2) students in the 263 public secondary schools in Anambra State.

The sample for the study consisted of 750 SS2 students drawn from the population of the study using multi-stage random sampling technique. Two sets of questionnaire ‘Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) and ‘Academic Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ)’ were used for data collection. The instruments for data collection were validated by 3 specialists in Education (2 from Educational Psychology and 1 from Measurement and Evaluation). The reliability of the instruments was established using Cronbach Alpha Method and the alpha co-efficient got were 0.78 for PCQ and 0.82 for AEQ.Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Coefficient of Determination for answering the research questions while regression statistical analysis was used for testing the hypotheses.

The findings of the study revealed that gender notwithstanding, there is a high positive relationship between self-efficacy and academic engagement of in-school adolescents in Anambra state. Also correlation between optimism and academic engagement of in-school adolescents in Anambra state varies with gender. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that Government should prioritise teachers’ welfare to engender their zeal and passion so as to ignite the needed psychological capital in the students, thus positively impacting their academic engagement.

Secondary School Students’ Self-Efficacy as Correlate of Their Academic Achievement in Imo State

C. C. OZUOME — 2024-03-16

This study investigated the correlation between secondary school students’ self-efficacy and their academic achievement in Imo State. Five research questions were answered, and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlation research design was adopted for this study.

The population for this study consisted of 8,463 Senior Secondary School (SS2) students. Research sample consisted of 860 (420 male and 440 female) students selected through multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument used for the study was Morgan-Jinks Student Self-efficacy Scale (MJSES) which has coefficient alphas of .78, .70 and .66 for subscales, and an overall reliability coefficient of .80. Data collected for the study were analysed using summated scores descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Regression analysis.

Results obtained from the study indicated that a good number of students in Imo state have high academic self-efficacy. The result also showed that a good number of the students in Imo state have good achievements in English language and mathematics. Finally, the result revealed that there is significant positive relationships secondary school students’ Self-efficacy and their academic achievement in English Language and Mathematics respectively. The study recommended, among others that Counsellors, teachers and other staff should create programmes that will help develop strong belief in the self-capacity.

Perceived Mental Health Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic and Health Related Quality of Life Among Students Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

C. C. Onwurah — 2024-03-16

The COVID-19 health crisis has reached pandemic scale spreading globally which gave rise to the need to examine the perceived mental health impact of covid-19 pandemic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. It was a cross-sectional survey design and four Research questions guided the study. The population of the study consisted of 5000 undergraduate students from Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The random sampling technique was used to select 300 undergraduate university students in 10 different academic departments under Faculty of Education. The researcher developed a questionnaire titled Perceived Mental Health Impact of Covid-19 Questionnaire (PMHICQ), which was used for the study. The instrument was subjected to both face and content validity by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha reliability method. The reliability yielded coefficient of 0.80 which indicated a positive and high reliability and the instrument was considered reliable and acceptable for the study.

The data collected was analyzed using a mean score. The study revealed that undergraduate in the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University has a good perception of covid-19, and experienced a mental health impact of covid-19 which affected them in one way or the other during the covid-19 pandemic.

The study concluded that the perception of undergraduate students depends mainly on their beliefs that Covid-19 exists and was transmitted from one person to another and also their attitude, behavior and aspects of mental health of the students which involved Post Traumatic System Disorders, symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety, and that they were affected by covid-19, especially during the lockdown period. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that prevention and intervention approaches to attenuate the psychosocial impact should be an integral component of crisis response during pandemic conditions.

Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Mental Health of Undergraduate Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State Nigeria

C. C. Onwurah — 2024-03-16

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of sleep deprivation on mental health among undergraduate student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Four research questions guided the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population consists of undergraduate student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Accidental sampling technique was used to obtain 100 respondents from the population of 28,718 that formed the study.

The instrument for data collection was 30 items questionnaire titled: Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Mental Health Questionnaire (ESDMHQ) which was validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Alpha coefficient method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and the overall reliability coefficient was 0.96. Statistics mean was used to analyze the collected data. The results of the study indicated that frequent use of social media and academic workloads are the major causes of sleep deprivation among undergraduate student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.

The study further indicated that depression and poor concentration among undergraduate students are the major effects of sleep deprivation on mental health among undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The findings of the study further indicate that keeping the bedroom quiet, dark and cool, maintaining regular sleep routine and avoiding the use of electronic devices during bed time are major ways to reduce sleep deprivation among undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

It was recommended that School authority should organize educational programs such seminars that will emphasize the importance of good sleep hygiene, targeting undergraduate students. Faculties and Departments should join in creating awareness campaigns within the university community highlighting the impact of social media use, academic workload, noisy environments, and other factors on sleep quality. Non-Governmental Organisation should join in student support services in by incorporating strategies to address sleep-related issues.

Parenting Styles as a Predictor of Adolescents’ Career Making Difficulties in Secondary Schools in Anambra State

O. I. Onyekwere — 2024-03-16

The study adopted correlational research design to investigate parenting styles as a predictor of adolescents’ career making difficulties in secondary schools in Anambra state. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The population comprised all the 8,498 senior secondary school III students (SSS III) in all the 261 public secondary schools in Anambra State. The sample size for this study consisted of 1,125 SSS III students drawn through proportionate stratified sampling technique.

Two instruments were used for this research work. The first instrument is titled “Parenting Scale Inventory by Abdul-Gafoor and Abidha (2014) (Adopted); the second instrument is Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire-Revised (CDDQ) by Gati and Saka (2001) (Adapted). The instruments were validated by Specialists in Education. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha and an alpha coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Instrument for data collection was administered by the researchers’ with the aid of 6 research assistants.

The result of the study revealed among others that there was weak relationship among parenting styles and students’ career decision-making difficulties in secondary schools in Anambra State. Based on the findings the researchers recommended enhancing career guidance programs in secondary schools which should focus on providing comprehensive information, resources, and opportunities for students to explore diverse career paths independently.

Study Habits and Learning Styles as Predictors of Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Anambra State

J. A. Akuezuilo — 2024-03-16

This study investigated study habits and learning styles as predictors of academic achievement of secondary school students in Anambra state. The study adopted the correlation survey design of the predictive nature. Three research questions guided the study, while three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level. The population for this study comprises 18,787 Senior Secondary School two SS II students from 261 secondary schools situated in the six education zones in Anambra state.

Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of 825 SS II students from the six education zones in Anambra state. The instruments adopted for data collection were standardized Study Habit Scale (SHS) developed by Bakare (1977) and the Learning Style Inventory developed by Daid Kolb (1971). These instruments were administered using direct delivery approach with the help of six classroom teachers in the sampled schools who doubled as research assistants. Research questions were answered using multiple regression analysis to determine the R, R-square and R² adjusted.

The academic achievement scores collected for the undergraduates which comprise of scores and grades in English language indicating their achievements. The findings from the study revealed among others that a there is a low positive linear relationship between secondary school students’ study habit and their academic achievement in English Language in Anambra State. A low positive linear relationship exists among secondary school students study habits and learning styles on their academic achievement in English language in Anambra state.

Conclusions were made, and it was recommended that school teachers and principals should re-organize and integrate students in study groups and JET clubs so as to improve their study habit and learning styles. More so, the home background and the peers they interact with also matters. This will help reshape their perception of their immediate environment.

Emotional Intelligence as Correlate of Teachers' Job Commitment in Public Secondary Schools in Delta State

C. N. Nwokolo — 2024-03-16

The study investigated emotional intelligence as correlateof teachers' job commitment in Public secondary schools in Delta state. The study adopted the correlation survey design. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 1427 teachers in public secondary schools’.

The instruments adopted for data collection were standardized Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment (EISA) and Job Commitment Questionnaire (JCQ). These instruments were administered using direct delivery approach with the help of regular teachers as research assistants from the sampled schools. The research question raised was answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r), while the null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using multiple regression analysis.

The findings of the study revealed a moderate positive relationship between public secondary school teachers’ emotional intelligence and their job commitment. There was a significant relationship between emotional intelligence scores and job commitment scores of teachers in public secondary schools in Delta State.

Based on the findings it was recommended among others that the school system in this regard may have a clear-cut legislation related to pay packages and promotion policy of teachers in public secondary schools in order to improve their level of commitment. There is need to emphasis practices which subsidize and promote emotional intelligence and commitment among secondary school teachers. During recruitment, preference should be given to teachers with high level of emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Undergraduate Students’ Social Adjustment in Public Universities in Anambra State

I. O. Amailo — 2024-03-16

This study used a correlational research design to establish how emotional intelligence predict undergraduate students’ social adjustment. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The sample for the study consisted of 582 year 1 regular undergraduate students drawn from the population of the study using a multi-stage random sampling procedure.

Two instruments, the Emotional Intelligence Inventory (EII), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-R-21), and the Social Adjustment Questionnaire (SAQ), were used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis.

The findings of the study revealed that, there is a low positive relationship between emotional intelligence and social adjustment among 100-level undergraduate students in public universities in Anambra State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended, among others, that the government should prioritize creating a more conducive learning environment for student’s social adjustment.

Factors Influencing the Use of Internal Measures for Quality Assurance in Public Universities in Nigeria

E. Obi — 2024-04-24

This paper x-rayed the factors influencing the use of internal measures for quality assurance in public universities in Nigeria. Quality assurance is a major discourse in all most the whole education system all over the world. So many measures have been put in place by many countries of the world including Nigeria in order to ensure quality in their university education system. The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to ensure quality university education introduced the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) and accreditation through its agency, National Universities Commission (NUC). However, despite the efforts by the Nigerian government through its educational agencies to ensure quality education most especially in the university system, there is still persistent decline in the quality of university education.

Thus the need for various university managements to augment the efforts of the government towards ensuring qualitative university education by using various internal measures such as students’ evaluation of teaching effectiveness, effective guidance and counseling services among others. This paper therefore reviewed among others the internal measures used by universities to ensure quality education and the factors influencing its use for quality assurance in public universities in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that university management in Nigeria should ensure appropriate follow-up of internally organized quality programmes.

Towards Students’ Personnel Administration in Universities in South East, Nigeria: The Place of Tertiary Education Trust Fund Intervention

C. N. Oguejiofor — 2024-03-22

This study investigated on the impact of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention on students’ personnel administration in public universities in South East, Nigeria. One research question guided the study while one hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised all the 231 staff made up of 16 TETFund officers and 215 Heads of Departments in the five federal universities in South East, Nigeria. The entire population was used as the study sample purposively. The instrument used for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire. The instrument was validated and the reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha to determine the internal consistency which yielded a reliability index of 0.78. In analyzing the data, mean scores and standard deviation were used to answer the research question. The t-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed among others that, TETFund intervention had significant impact on students’ personnel administration in public universities in South East, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, TETFund should improve its intervention in providing grants for academic staff development for conference participation (International and National), and publications in federal universities in South East, Nigeria.

Causes and Consequences of Indecent Dressing Among Female Students in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Oyo State: Implications for School Counselling

R. A. Fadipe — 2024-03-29

This study examined the causes and consequences of indecent dressing among female students in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Oyo state, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three hundred and sixty respondents in school. The instrument used was a researcher-designed scale, titled: “Causes and Consequences of Indecent Dressing Questionnaire (CCIDQ).” The findings of the study revealed that social media influence, lack of moral upbringing, and lack of parental supervision were the major causes of indecent dressing, while the finding also revealed that sexual harassment, low self-esteem and poor school grades were the major consequences of indecent dressing. Further findings showed no significant differences in the causes and consequences of indecent dressing among respondents based on religion. Also a significant difference was showed in the causes of indecent dressing among respondents based on age, while no significant difference was revealed in the consequences of indecent dressing among respondents based on age. It was recommended that school management, in collaboration with school counsellors, should use various media outlets such as television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and handbills to educate female students on the causes and consequences of indecent dressing in school.