Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling

Influence of counselling on the reintegration of rescued trafficked children

Joyce Larko Steiner, Aaron Adjei, Evans Kwashie Kagbetor — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the influence of counselling on behavioural change of rescued trafficked children at Kokrobite and Bortianor in the Greater Accra Region. The purpose was to determine the extent to which counselling influenced the reintegration of rescued trafficked children into society. Questionnaires were administered to a cross-section of rescued trafficked children (n=200) in some selected communities in Kokrobite, Bortianor and Oshiyie. It was found that trafficked children who went through counselling were reintegrated more easily the society than those who did not. A chisquare test was performed to examine the relationship between counselling and the ability to reintegrate into society after being trafficked for different types of child labour jobs. The relation between these variables was significant, χ2 (1, N = 200) = 5.4, p = .012. It is recommended that there must be an increase in educational campaigns on child trafficking and its ills in our society. Additionally, policymakers must make a conscious effort to allow more training for counsellors and strengthen the social welfare programme in all districts. The law enforcement agencies and institutions that are responsible for implementing the various provisions of the Children’s Act and the Human Trafficking Act should be adequately resourced and empowered to carry out their mandate effectively in order to address this serious issue.

Trauma informed education in Nigeria: A survey of trauma-informed counselling and education in Nigerian schools among school counsellors

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the findings of a pre-COVID survey focusing on trauma-informed counselling and educational practices in Nigerian schools, specifically targeting school counsellors. The research aimed to gain insights into the support required for counsellors and educators in assisting children and adolescents who experience trauma from factors such as war, poverty, kidnapping, dislocation, and other life-altering events. With responses from 212 Nigerian counsellors, the study reveals that while many counsellors recognize the widespread trauma affecting students, most lack the training to effectively support these students. The majority of respondents expressed a clear need for additional resources and training to enhance their capacity to aid trauma-affected students and their families. Furthermore, respondents highlighted that teachers, school administrators, and education stakeholders also require support to create trauma-sensitive environments and apply effective classroom management strategies. These measures, they suggested, would better promote the social and emotional growth of trauma-affected students.

Perception of educational psychologists, counsellors, teachers and parents on constraints of domestic helps in Niger State: Counselling and psychological interventions

Suleiman Suleiman — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Domestic helps are persons who are involved in labour for little wages in various homes or different family background rather than theirs, facing a lot of constraints and are thereby denied freedom of rights to education, health and safety. This study was aimed at investigating the perception of educational psychologists, counsellors, teachers and parents on constraints of domestic helps in Niger State. One research question and three hypotheses were raised and tested in the study. The population for the study consisted of all the educational psychologists, counsellors, teachers and parents of secondary schools students, while 130 were mainly selected in Niger State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 130 respondents. The study adopted a self-developed questionnaire titled “Perception of Educational Psychologists, Counsellors, Teachers and Parents on Constraints of Domestic Helps Questionnaire” (PEPCTPCDHQ). It was validated by 2 experts in Counselling Psychology and Measurement and Evaluation, IBB University, Lapai Nigeria. With test-re-test reliability index of 0.89, it was found suitable for use. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Hypotheses 1-3 were tested using t-test analysis. The finding showed that many educational psychologists, counsellors and teachers showed positive responses while few among the parents agreed with the pre-disposing constraints of domestic helps. The result indicated that there were no significant difference among the respondents on the basis of gender and school type of educational psychologists, counsellors and teachers respectively. However, Parents differ in their perception based on location. Some of the constrains of domestic helps include hard labour, maltreatment, punishment, little wages, denial of education, early marriage, sexually seduced, infections, among others. Counselling strategies to be adopted to address these constraints have been discussed, such as cognitive behaviour therapy and reality therapy. Conclusion and Recommendations were also presented including; free education, ban on domestic helps of children, advocacy campaign through media, compulsory education and community based counselling.

Inclusive education and exceptionality: challenges facing the effective implementation of inclusive programme in Nigeria and counselling implications

Sussana Zubairu, Isah Sarki — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper highlighted the concept of ‘exceptionality’ and inclusive education and discussed the history of inclusive education in global perspective. It also explained the challenges facing the practicability of inclusive education in Nigeria. This bordered on lack of awareness and lack of teaching and learning facilities. It requires the attention of the stakeholders such as government, special educators and parents of exceptional children. The paper went further to highlight the counselling implications in terms of need for professional counsellors and psychotherapists who are to address the challenges confronting the inclusive education programme in Nigeria. These challenges includes: identification and census taking (head count) of persons with disability by census officials; enrolment of exceptional children in the inclusive education classes; involvement of psychotherapist and medical personnel, special educators and social worker in the enrolment exercise; the enlightenment and sensitization of parents, community leaders and the public; and the involvement of professional counsellors and social worker in the sensitization exercise. This paper posits that if the above suggestions are addressed, the implementation and practicability of inclusive education will eventually materialize and can become functional in Nigeria. Thus, the solution to Education for All (EFA). It was recommended Modern teaching and learning materials should be adequately provided to make education very effective in the inclusive education. More special educators, counsellors and medical personal should be recruit into the new inclusive so as to cater for the population of children.

Causes and consequences of academic stress among final year students of University of Ibadan: Implications for counselling

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the causes and consequences of academic stress among final year students of University of Ibadan. Descriptive survey design was adopted and purposive sampling technique was employed to select two hundred final year students at the University of Ibadan. The samples were administered with a researchers-developed instrument tagged: “Questionnaire on Causes and Consequences of Academic stress (QCCAS)”. The findings of the study revealed that too many assignments, competitions with other students, and poor relationships with lecturers were among the major causes of academic stress, while low academic performance, complain of depression and school dropout were part of the major consequences of academic stress among final year students of University of Ibadan. Further findings revealed no significant difference in the causes of academic stress among final year students of University of Ibadan based on age while significant difference was revealed based on religion; there were no significant differences in the consequences of academic stress among final year students of University of Ibadan based age and religion. It was therefore, recommended that the school authority, lecturers and guidance counsellors should work hand in hand in creating good interpersonal relationships and in ensuring conducive environment for effective learning on the part of the students. Also, school counsellors should provide adequate counselling to students on the causes and consequences of academic stress through information and orientation services in school.

Perception of adult education instructors on challenges of adult education in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja: Counselling implications

I. G. Usman — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The achievement of success of adult education in Nigeria has been a mirage as a result of inadequate trained staff as well as teaching and learning facilities in the centres where lessons take place. This paper is aimed at investigating the perceptions of adult education instructors on the challenges of adult education in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Eighty instructors were used for the study selected from Kuje and Abaji Local Councils out of the population of adult educators in the six local councils in the FCT. The instrument used for the study was titled “Perception of Adult Instructors on Challenges of Adult Education” (PAICAE). The content validity of the instrument was conducted by three experts and reliability of 0.86 was obtained. Means and mean rank order as well as t-test analysis were used for decision making for the results. There were no significant differences between the two hypotheses. All the means of the items on challenges of adult education were above 2.50 which was the cut-off point. Therefore, responses on the challenges of adult education as perceived by instructors used for the study were all accepted. Some of the items that constituted challenges were thus: inadequate trained staff, insufficient teaching and learning materials, important records were not up to date, irregular attendance by learners and instructors particularly during rainy seasons, among others. Counselling strategies such as cognitive behaviour therapy was advanced to be adopted to address the discovered challenges so that the government, the instructors as well as the learners should develop positive mindset and attention in terms of adequate funding, change of attitude and total transformation of this sector so as to achieve the aims and objectives for which the landable educational programme is meant for.

Challenges facing effective implementation of inclusive education and exceptionality programme in Nigeria: Implication for counselling

Sussana Zubairu, Isah Sarki — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper studied opinion of special educators on challenges of inclusive education in Niger State. It also adopted some counselling skills, strategies and techniques to address areas of constraints in the finding. Two hundred subjects were randomly selected which includes 120 males and 80 females among special need teachers from schools in Minna. Two hypotheses were formulated. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The statistical tools used were t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The reliability coefficient index was 0.89. A researcher-designed instrument coined “Opinion of Special Educators on Challenges of Inclusive Education” (OSECIE) was used. Result showed that special educators’ opinion on the challenges of inclusive education among other things include: inappropriate architectural designs of school buildings for special needs; not all children with or without disabilities are enrolled in schools; accommodation cannot meet up with population of available children; teaching and learning materials are not adequate; employment opportunities are not opened for physically challenged graduates. On the part of teachers, there is shortage of trained special educators; salaries are delayed and no incentive are not provided. On the part of government, no enough fund for facilities was provided and lack of enough counsellors to adopt awareness campaign strategies. The two null hypotheses based on gender and religion were accepted. The study therefore adopted some counselling techniques such as the use of media, and P.T.A. forum for advocacy campaign, orientation, group counselling, community – based counselling, pastoral appeals to government in order to remediate the above constraints which are impeding effective implementation of inclusive education. Conclusion and recommendations were proffered to re-direct the stakeholders so that special need children would be able to exercise their rights in education, to prepare them for entrepreneurial and self-sustenance education and contribute to national development.

Personality and cyberbullying behaviours among undergraduates in a West Malaysian public university

David Obafemi Adebayo — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Social media has become a veritable platform of communication and interaction amongst young adults in the university environment as well as the larger society. As important as it is, certain users of the various platforms have been using it to cause psychological and emotional trauma to others through cyberbullying. This study therefore examined the personality profile and cyberbullying behaviours of undergraduates in a West Malaysian public university. It was a quantitative study and it adopted a correlational survey design. A total of 400 undergraduates were purposively selected from faculties of computing, electrical engineering and management. An adopted inventory entitled “TAJMA Personality Profile (TPP3)” and a researcher-developed questionnaire entitled “Engagement in Social Media Use and Undergraduates’ Cyberbullying Behaviours (ESMU)” were used for data collection. The instruments (TPP3 and ESMU) yielded coefficients of .95 and .92 respectively using Cronbach’s alpha reliability. Three research questions were raised. One null hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling Partial Least Squares 3 (SEM-PLS3). The findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between personality profile and cyberbullying behaviours of the university students. Hence, personality, particularly the distortion trait related to cyberbullying behaviours of undergraduates. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that undergraduates be properly and periodically educated and skilfully empowered on how to handle cyberbullying, and avoid distorted personality traits in their dealings with others, which is a likely strategy for stemming the menace of cyberbullying activities among undergraduates, particularly in a public university in West Malaysia.

Perception of secondary school teachers on challenges of domestic helps in Niger State: Counselling implications

I. G. Usman — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Domestic helps are children who are involved in a labour attached to a different family in order to generate money, and by this, they are denied freedom of rights to education, safety and health. This paper attempted to investigate the perception of teachers on challenges of domestic helps in Niger State. Two research questions and two hypotheses were raised and tested in the study. The population of the study consisted of all the teachers in secondary schools in Niger State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 120 male and female respondents. The study adopted a self-developed-questionnaire titled “Perception of Teachers on Challenges of Domestic Helps Questionnaire” (PTCDHQ). It was validated by 3 experts with a test-re test reliability index of 0.83. It was therefore found suitable for use. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested using t-test analysis. The finding showed that many teachers showed positive responses to challenges of domestic helps. The mean scores of items 1-15 range between 3.45-3.91 for public and private schools while that of gender is between 3.18 and 3.97 meaning that the statements on challenges of domestic helps are supported by the respondents. The results of the hypothesis also indicated that there were no significant differences among male and female respondents on the basis of gender and status. Some of the statements on challenges of domestic helps include little wages, denied of right to education, health and safety, early marriage of teenagers, sexual exploitation HIV/AIDs infections, regular sickness without adequate care, among others. Counselling strategies were presented to address these constraints such as cognitive behaviour therapy and community-based counselling. Conclusion and recommendations were proffered to change the mindset of children and parents towards formal education.

Factors responsible for maladaptive behaviours among students as expressed by teachers in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria: Implications for counselling

O.K. Ogungbade — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Maladaptive behaviors are serious issues among secondary school students in Ilorin. It affects the academic, social, and wellbeing of the students. To this end, this study, therefore, investigated factors responsible for maladaptive behaviours among students as expressed by teachers in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria: Implications for Counselling. The variables taken into consideration were gender, age, years of teaching experience and highest educational qualification. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study comprised 592 public school teachers in Ilorin metropolis while, a sample of 239 out of 245 respondents who properly responded to the questionnaire forms, was used for the study. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique and stratified random sampling technique. A self-designed questionnaire entitled “Factors Responsible for Maladaptive Behaviours Questionnaire (FRMBQ)" was used to obtain relevant data. Content validity was used to ascertain the validity of the instrument while test retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and coefficient value of 0.68 was obtained. Percentage was used for demographic data, mean and rank order was used to analysis the research question while the four null hypotheses formulated were tested using t-test and Analysis of Variance statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that teachers in Ilorin metropolis attested that peer pressure; poor parenting style; lack of positive role model; harmful media exposure are the main factors responsible for maladaptive behaviours among students. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference on the factors responsible for maladaptive behaviours among students as expressed by teachers in Ilorin metropolis based on gender, age, years of teaching experience and highest education qualification. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that the school authorities should implement comprehensive peer support and mentoring programs in order to create a positive peer culture and reduce negative peer influences. School counsellors in conjunction with school management should organise workshops and training sessions for parents on effective parenting strategies, communication skills, and understanding adolescents development that could prevent maladaptive behaviours among students. School Counsellors should train students on the use of Rational Emotive Behaviour and Cognitive Behaviour Therapies as problem solving therapies in order to ward off harmful social media exposure and have positive thinking.

Influence of social media on the emotional well-being of in-school adolescents in Ilorin Metropolis

Alfred Olatayo Awoye, Tolulope Oluwatoyin Olayiwola-Adedoja, Francis Anyanwu — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the influence of social media on the emotional well-being of in-school adolescents in Ilorin metropolis. The moderating variables of gender, age, and school type were examined. The population of this study comprised 241,324 in-school adolescents in Kwara State while a sample of 400 secondary school students was selected using simple random and stratified sampling techniques. The researchers designed the “Influence of Social Media on Emotional Wellbeing Questionnaire” (ISMEWQ) to collect data with a reliability coefficient of 0.78. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, and ranking order, and inferential statistics including t-test and ANOVA to analyse the research question and hypotheses, respectively. All hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 significance level. The results showed that social media has a negative influence on the emotional well-being of in-school adolescents because they experience feelings of anxiety when they do not receive enough likes or comments on their social media posts; felt pressure to present a perfect image of themselves on social media; often experienced feelings of isolation when they saw others' social media posts and among others. The study further revealed that there was a significant difference in the influence of social media on the emotional well-being of in-school adolescents in Ilorin metropolis based on gender, age, and school type. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that schools should introduce comprehensive digital literacy curricula that teach students about the potential negative impacts of social media, how to use these platforms responsibly, and how to critically evaluate online content. Counsellors should prioritize raising awareness about the potential negative impacts of social media on emotional wellbeing for in-school adolescents.

Mental health challenges of married women in Ilorin Metropolis: Insights from clinical experiences

Adeola Aminat Odebode, Busayo Omolade Ajibola, Mariam Bukola Alwajudadewusi — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This qualitative study explored the mental health challenges faced by married women in Ilorin Metropolis, drawing insights from their experiences in a counselling clinic. The study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the essence of the participants' experiences. Ten participants were purposely selected from women who sought counselling services, based on their willingness to share their lived experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in a private setting within the counselling clinic. This ensured confidentiality, comfort for the participants and narrative-based understanding of the psychological issues they encountered within their marital lives. Thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret the key themes emerging from the data. The findings revealed that the mental health challenges of these women were deeply intertwined with sociocultural expectations, marital dynamics, and limited access to mental health resources. Many participants reported feelings of isolation, overwhelming responsibilities, and a lack of emotional support from their spouses, contributing to their psychological distress. Participants also expressed that counselling services offer great relief even though, there is a need for improved accessibility and personalized care to better address the diverse needs of married women. The study concluded that the mental health challenges of married women are enormous and they significantly impact their overall well-being. It was recommended among others that there is a strong need for targeted mental health interventions that address the unique needs of this group within clinical settings.