Effectiveness of Peer Counselling Programmes in Promoting Emotional Adjustment Among Secondary School Students in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Aisha Yahaya Kassin, Halima Dalhatu Muazu

Abstract


This study investigated the effectiveness of peer counselling programmes in promoting emotional adjustment among secondary school students in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. The research employed ex-post facto and quasi-experimental design and the population comprised 12,450 SSII students across the public secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis. Out of which sample of 40 Senior Secondary II (SSII) students were selected through simple random and stratified sampling techniques. Data was collected using the Emotional Adjustment Scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results revealed significant improvements in emotional adjustment among students who participated in peer counselling programmes compared to the control group (t = 4.87, p < 0.05). The study found strong positive correlations between peer counselling participation and emotional stability (r = 0.73), social adjustment (r = 0.68), and academic performance (r = 0.61). Findings support the Social Learning Theory and Social Support Theory as theoretical frameworks for understanding peer counselling effectiveness. The study recommends implementing structured peer counselling programmes in secondary schools to enhance students' emotional well-being and academic success.


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