Counsellor (The)

The imperative of counselling as a tool for family security

OA Odeniyi — 2014-11-04

Security is a prerequisite for other basic needs of man. Any normal human being can only think of what to eat, do and desire other things after being confident of his security. Family security is essential for the security of the nation. The people that constitute the society, and the country are members of the family. If the country will be secured then the family must be secured. Inspite of the importance of security in the affairs of people, yet there is security challenge all over the world. The people that are causing security breach are from families. The authors therefore focus this paper on the state of insecurity, causes of insecurity, what the family can do to overcome security challenges. The paper recommends that every family should have a counsellor that security challenge can be taken to the police should be properly armed and that other law enforcement agents should take the issue of security more seriously. Also, all the three tiers of the government should see to the problem of unemployment and find practical solution to it.

Keywords: Family, Counselling, Security

Is who I am what you think I am? Parental perception and children's report of adolescent sexual behaviour: A call for counsellors' intervention

AG Akintomide — 2014-11-04

The aim of the study was to find the congruence between reports of parents and their children on adolescent sexual behaviour. It was an exploratory study carried out among a number of adolescent students and parents in three local government areas of Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. 551 literate and semi-literate parents and 576 senior secondary students were involved in the study. The sample size was drawn in stages using random and purposive sampling techniques. Two set of questionnaire were used to collected data. The first was administered on the parents while the other was for the students. One research question and three hypotheses were raised. The results revealed that there was a wide disparity between parents’ perception of their children’s sexual behaviour and the actual sexual behaviours reported by the adolescents. About 79.1% of the adolescents reported that they were involved in high risky sexual behaviours while only 22.0% of the parents believed that their children were involved in such behaviours. It was further established that the level of parent-child sexual communication was very low, with the fathers’ lower than the mothers’ and that the parent sexual communication have no positive influence on adolescent sexual communication (χ²= 30.14, p = 0.000). It was therefore concluded that most of Nigerian adolescents are not what their parents think they are in terms of their involvement in sexual activities.

Emotional Intelligence, Self-Concept and Academic performance od Senior Secondary School students in Sokoto Metropolis

MW Hakimi — 2014-11-04

This paper examines the relationship between emotional intelligence self-soncept and academic performance of secondary school students in Sokoto metropolis. A sample of 351 students was drawn from the population of secondary school students in Sokoto smetropolis. Three instruments were used in obtaining the data for the study. They are; adopted version of Kolo (2006) emotional intelligence questionnaire (EIQ), Akinboye’s Adolecent personal data inventory subscale which measured self-concept and JSCE results in English and Mathematics which measured academic performance of students. Three hypotheses were tested and the result obtained showed: significant relationship between emotional intelligence and academic performance; significant sex diffirences in the emotional intelligence of the students No significant sex differences in the self-concept of the students. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the teaching of emotional intelligence in secondary schools be introduced. Parents, teachers and guidance counselors should encourage and support students to develop and improve their self-concept and academic performance through the provision of challenging task.

Socio-Demographic Factors As Predictor Of Parents’ Perspectives On Incorporating HIV and AIDS Education In Lagos State Secondary Schools, Nigeria: Behavioural Science Intervention Implications

CBU Uwakwe — 2014-11-04

Correlational Research design was adopted to examine the predictive influence of some socio-demographic variables on perspectives of parents towards the inclusion of HIV and AIDS education in Lagos State schools. Four hundred parents of pupils and students of four primary and secondary schools with diverse demographic characteristics within Lagos metropolis were randomly drawn for the study. A 38-item self-report Parents-of-Adolescents HIV and AIDS/Sexuality Education Attitudinal questionnaire (r = 0.71) was adopted for data collection. Descriptive statistics and Multiple Regression analysis were used for data processing. Results revealed that the eight independent variables jointly predicted parents’ perspectives on HIV and AIDS education in schools. However, taken separately, level of education ((β = 2.692, T = 4.157 P <0.05), marriage type (β 1.699, T = 2.703, P < 0.05), sex (β= -1.520, T = 2.414 P <0.05) and occupation (β = -1.322, T = 1.843 P < 0.05) contributed significantly to the prediction whereas, religion, tribe, occupation and social economic status did not. The implications of the findings were discussed and it was suggested that counselling psychologists should take into cognizance variables identified to be significant in this study when designing and implementing HIV and AIDS intervention for parents in Lagos State schools.

Keywords: Adolescent Perspective, Daily Interactions and Relationship Quality Socio-Demographic, Predictors, HIV and AIDS Education

Knowledge of Autism among school personnel in the Garki District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

AL Okon — 2014-11-04

This paper investigated knowledge of autism among school personnel in the Garki District of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. The study sample comprised 194 school personnel made up of 82 males and 112 females. The respondents were randomly selected from government- owned primary and secondary schools within the district. A modified version of the knowledge about childhood autism among health workers (KCAHW) by Bakare, et al (2008) was used to measure knowledge of the respondents have heard of autism a good number were not conversant with what constitute the disorder. Of the three hypotheses posed, one was rejected showing that there were significant differences at the 5% probability level while two were retained, depicting non-significance. Based on this, it was suggested among others, that awareness campaign need to be intensified (as this came to the fore as the least source of knowledge of autism) to reach all nooks and crannies not only in the FCT but nationally. This is particularly to enable stakeholders, principally; school personnel gain adequate knowledge on autism as they are the next important people after parents, in the handling of children. This is aimed towards early diagnosis and intervention. Based on this premise, it is believed that the knowledge of autism through creation of awareness among school personnel will go a long way in curtailing the problems and challenges posed by autism.

Identifying learning characteristics of the gifted Students in the Inclusive classroom among secondary schools in Nigeria: Implications for placement, instruction and counselling

MI Goshwe — 2014-11-04

The failure of schools, teachers and counsellors to identify gifted students as well as responding to their unique characteristics and learning needs give rise to this paper. Gifted learners possess high level of intelligence than their peers, but are disadvantaged in the sense that they are not given the opportunity to reach their full potentials, many believed that gifted students do not need help because of their exceptional abilities. Counselling strategies andinstruction to assist the gifted students and people around them have been discussed. The paper recommended that: counsellors should work hand in hand with teachers and school authorities to make sure that gifted students are identified and placed in special classes and programs to ensure their giftedness is nurtured and encouraged. They should also be provided with a challenging and meaningful curriculum within regular classrooms or differentiated to meet their learning needs. Counsellors and teachers should be trained on how to identify the gifted students. Parents and peers of the gifted should be counselled to tolerate and be patient with the gifted students.

Middle-Age Gender Differences in Emotional Adjustments to Career Depression: Implication for Counselling

MC Okocha — 2014-11-04

This study examined middle-age gender differences in career challenges and emotional intelligence and its counselling implications. The study aimed at sensitizing the development of adult counselling programme for the middle-age persons. Survey design was adopted to obtain samples (800) from a large population of middle age between the ages of 35-60years in white collar jobs in Delta state. The population consisted of all males and females between the ages of thirty-five to sixty years in white collar jobs in Nigeria. The main instruments for investigation into this study were the questionnaire and interview in a focus group discussion involving forty middle-age individuals. To obtain the internal consistency of the study, the Cronbach Reliability Coefficient was used, which had a reliability of 0.77and 0.71 for career depression and emotional intelligence respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used for data analysis. The findings showed; a need for female adjustment to career challenges. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made amongst which are; the development of adult counselling schemes for the middle-aged persons, individuals should be taught ahead of time to help envision the possible middle-age career and adjustment of female career challenges.

Path-Analytic investigation of some Psycho-Social variables affecting adjustment to school transition among fresh Secondary School students in South-Eastern Nigeria

DA Oluwole — 2014-11-04

This study through path-analysis investigated some psychosocial variables affecting adjustment to transition of fresh secondary school students in Nigeria. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one thousand two hundred participants from thirty randomly selected public secondary schools in two randomly selected local governments in each of the five Southeastern States. Eight instruments used were: Students Academic Achievement Motivation scale (α= 0.86), Academic Self-efficacy scale (α= 0.82), Peer influence scale (α= 0.76), Attitude to School Scale (α= 0.68), Interest in schooling scale (α= 0.79), Emotional Intelligence Scale (α= 0.87), Academic Adjustment Scale (α= 0.79) and Socioeconomic Status Scale (α= 0.64). Seven research questions were raised and answered at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using multiple regression, backward solution and path analysis. The psychosocial variables of the study jointly contributed significantly to the prediction of adjustment to transition among fresh junior secondary school students F(9, 1199) = 38.37 R²= 0.23; p<.0.001). The exogenous variables jointly accounted for 23 percent variance in adjustment to transition. Also, the strength of causation of psycho-social variables on the model varies: Emotional Intelligence β= 0.23; P<.05; Academic achievement motivation β= 0.18; P<.05; Interest in schooling β= 0.08; P<.05; Attitude to school β= 0.06; P<.05 and Academic Self-efficacy β= -0.02; P<.05. Thus, it is recommended that the adjustment to school transition of fresh secondary school students should be given appropriate attention to help them adjust favourably well to academic and environmental challenges.

Key words: Adjustment, School, Transition, Student, Psychosocial, South-East, Nigeria

Self-efficacy and parental motivation as correlates ofstudends' academic performance in attaining academic reconstruction: Counselling Implications

TH Agbajor — 2014-11-04

Academic reconstruction is a continuous process that caters for the overhauling of a deteriorating educational process. Such decadency is explicit inhow students perform poorly in internal and external examinations. In view of this, this study examined the relationship between self-efficacy, parental motivation and academic performance of secondary school students in attaining academic reconstruction. The study had a sample size of 1000 respondents, three hypotheses that were tested at 0.05 margin error using pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that self-efficacy, parental motivation significantly correlate with student academic performance in the attainment of academic reconstruction. The study therefore recommend the need to use individual, group counselling, workshop, seminars as a medium in educating students on how to develop and improve their self-efficacy and to motivate parents to provide more support, care and encouragement to their wards as a measure of assisting in the academic reconstruction process.

Key Words: Academic Reconstruction, Academic Performance, Self-efficacy, Parental Motivation.

Parental views on some variables as determinants of sexuality education in Aniocha-North Local Government area of Delta State: Implications for Counselling

IH Alika — 2014-11-04

This study investigated parental views on some variables as determinants of sexuality education. The sample consisted of 120 parents from four towns in Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey method was used for the study, four research questions were generated to guide the study. The research instrument was a well structured questionnaire which was designed to elicit information on the variables of study. The result showed that socio-economic status, religion, age and availability of adequate information were viewed as determinants of sexuality education. The highest contributor to parental view on sexuality education is the socio-economic status of parents, in that it was found that 80% of the respondents indicated that parents in the high socio-economic status understands more and supports sexuality education. It is recommended that efforts should be made by relevant authorities in providing income generating ventures for the citizens, also that traditional/religious institutions should collaborate with the schools, health sectors and non-governmental agencies with a view to getting parents acquainted with sexuality education, irrespective of socio-economic status, because the provision of correct, positive and sincere sexuality education by parents will no doubt lead to the establishment of a society that will generate healthy youths who will become leaders of tomorrow.

Keywords: Parental, Sexuality, Education, Socio-Economic Status, Religion, Information

Perception of gender equity in the classroom among Secondary School teachers in benin - City, Edo State

ON Aihie — 2014-11-04

Education plays a major role in the preparation of young people for full participation in the society. Over the past few decades, gender equality in access to education has improved. However, there is still great inequality in the representation of the genders in certain educational fields and occupations. The study investigated boys’ and girls’ classroom interaction as perceived by classroom teachers and the teachers’ openness to equal experiences for both boys and girls regarding courses of study/occupations. Four hundred and twenty-nine randomly selected teachers in public and private co-educational schools in Benin-City, Edo state, participated in the study. A self-constructed instrument was validated and employed to collect data for the study. Descriptive and Pearson’s Chi-Square statistics were used to analyse data collected. Findings revealed that the teachers perceived a disparity between boys’ and girls’ classroom interactions. Also, teachers were generally not open to equal and diverse experiences for male and female students regarding occupations and courses of study. Implications for counselling were discussed. The study concluded that gender inequity exists in the classroom and may affect both genders negatively. The introduction of gender equity education in teacher-education curriculum was recommended.

Key words: Gender, equity, classroom, teachers.

Prevalence and gender difference in self-reported depressive symptomatology among Nigerian University students: Implication for depression counselling

MG Abiodun — 2014-11-04

Encounter with depressive symptoms is one of the reasons why university students visit university counselling centres. This study sought to examine the present prevalence of depression among university students as well as gender dissimilarity in self-reported depression. 550 (male-46; female-306) randomly selected students from three private universities in Ogun State, Nigeria completed Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale. Descriptive (frequency count) and t-test statistics analyses of the two research questions posed to guide the study revealed that self-reported depressive symptoms by the participants ranged from 11.45% to 35.81% for both sexes; 11.48% to 25.82% for males; 11.44 to 23.20% for females. Further analysis showed that self-reported cases of mild depression was more than that of severe depression and difference on gender indicated that overall rate of depression for females (37.30%) was higher than that of males (34.64%). There was no significant difference on gender basis at 0.05 alpha level. The implications of these findings on depression counselling are discussed.

Key words: depression, prevalence, gender, counselling, students, university, Nigeria

Boundaries in school counselling: Conceptual, theoretical, and risk-management dimensions

EU Oramah — 2014-11-04

Safeguarding the integrity of the counselling process and the need to protect clients has been considered necessary in the thoughts of scholars and practitioners. School counselling, however, presents a peculiar challenge in view of the fact that school counsellors could be made to take on other roles that tend to diminish their therapeutic presence. The main objective of this paper was to discuss the reality and necessity of boundaries within school counselling with particular reference to its conceptual, theoretical, and risk management dimensions. It was concluded that despite the fact that school counsellors are exposed to unavoidable dual relationships with students, rightful incorporation of some risk management procedures could help to entrench the required boundaries in school counselling.

Keywords-School Counselling, Boundary Crossing, Boundary Violation, Risk-Management

Self-esteem, gender, family-communication-style and parental neglect as predictors of aggressive tendencies among Secondary School adolescents

HO Imhonde — 2014-11-04

This study examined the role of self-esteem, gender, family communication style, and parental neglect on aggressive tendencies among secondary school adolescents’ in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. A total of two hundred and forty (240) secondary school adolescents drawn from 9 private and 3 public schools in Esan West Local government Area of Edo state participated in the study. One hundred and forty of the participants were males, while one hundred were females. A questionnaire was used in collecting data. The questionnaire consisted of five sections; the demographic variables, family communication style, parental neglect, self-esteem, and aggressive tendencies. Results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that only self-esteem, independently predict aggressive tendencies. Family communication style, gender and parental neglect were not found to independently predict aggressive tendencies. However, self-esteem, gender, family communication, parental neglect jointly predict aggressive tendencies among secondary school adolescents. Based on the findings from this study, it is recommended that the future of a successful intervention by therapists/service providers for students with aggressive behaviour in Nigeria lies heavily on knowing and identifying the personal and family characteristics of the individual. This no doubt would help the therapists in managing individuals with specific treatment.

Efficacy of positive reinforcement and self control in the management of aggression behaviour among pupils

BI Nnodum — 2014-11-04

The study investigated the efficacy of positive reinforcement (PR) and self-control (SC) in the management of aggression among pupils. The treatment is a quasi-experimental type that adopted a pretest, post test treatment control group using a 3 x 2 factorial matrix, with the treatment conditions in the rows and gender in the columns. There were three experimental groups comprising of two treatment groups and a no treatment control group. The participants compromised of 30 pupils who were randomly selected from a purposively choosen: school in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State and randomly assigned to the experimental conditions. Different types of researchers developed and validated test instruments were used at the pretest, post test and follow-up periods for identifying the aggressors and testing the effectiveness of the treatments. Two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Data collected were analyzed with ANCOVA and Scheffe test. The results revealed among others, that positive reinforcement (PR) and self control (SC) were effective and superior to the control condition in reducing aggression. It also shows that positive reinforcement (PR) was more effective than self control (SC) both at post test and follow-up-periods in reducing aggression.

Effect of Akinboye practical creativity atw ork and metaphoric thinking techniques in fostering entrepreneurial self-efficacy among would-be Polytechnic graduates in Osun State

OO Abdulwasii — 2014-11-04

No abstract.

The impact of financial issues, unrealistic expectations and the presence of children on spousal well being in Bonus families

OG Igaba — 2014-11-04

No abstract.