COUNSELLING STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING SELF ESTEEM AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study investigated counsellor’s perception of cognitive restructuring as a counselling strategy for enhancing self esteem among Secondary School Students in Enugu State. One research question and one null hypothesis were formulated to guide the study was tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study adopted a corelational research design. The population of the study consisted of 103 school counsellors in the 291 public Secondary Schools in the area. The number is small and manageable; so no sampling was done. The instrument used was 4-item questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts from Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; two from Guidance and Counselling and one from measurement and evaluation. Mean, with standard deviation and t-test statistics were used for data analysis. The study revealed, among others that Guidance counsellors perceive Cognitive Restructuring as a counselling strategy for enhancing self-esteem among Secondary School Students in Enugu State. Secondly, it was also found out that there is no significant difference between the mean perception scores of male and female counsellors on cognitive restructuring for enhancing self esteem among secondary school students in Enugu State. The study recommended, among others, that counsellors should provide psychosocial and educational assistance to youths, hence, achieving a mental sane society, which will give rise to high self esteem of youths.