Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling

Effect of psychological stressors on low-income families in Accra metropolis: A phenomenological investigation

Aaron Adjei — 2026-05-10

In rapidly urbanizing African cities, the psychological toll of economic marginalization often remains unseen, yet it profoundly shapes the daily realities of vulnerable households. Grounded in this context, this phenomenological study investigates the lived experiences of psychological stress among low-income families in Accra Metropolis, Ghana. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with twelve informal sector workers, the research captures how persistent financial precarity translates into sustained emotional and cognitive strain. Thematic analysis revealed six interconnected dimensions of distress: persistent anxiety, depressive symptoms, chronic worry, fearful anticipation of the future, disrupted sleep patterns, and profound loneliness and social isolation. Aligned with the Family Stress Model, these findings illustrate how prolonged economic hardship initiates emotional distress that subsequently erodes family cohesion, relational dynamics, and occupational functioning. The study underscores a critical gap in urban social support systems, where the cumulative psychological burden of poverty remains largely unacknowledged and untreated. To bridge this gap, the research advocates for community-led mental health initiatives, inclusive economic empowerment programs, and the systematic integration of psychosocial care into primary healthcare delivery. Ultimately, recognizing and addressing the invisible stressors of urban poverty is essential to safeguarding family well-being and fostering resilient, equitable communities in Accra and comparable settings.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) in management of stress among secondary school teachers in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Adaobi Amaka Ekwuno — 2026-05-10

Stress among teachers is a pervasive occupational challenge that adversely affects psychological well-being, job performance, and the quality of education. This study examined the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychotherapy (PPT) in the management of stress among secondary school teachers in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. The study employed a quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test control group design involving 90 teachers randomly assigned to three groups: ACT (n = 30), PPT (n = 30), and control (n = 30). Participants were selected from three randomly chosen public senior secondary schools using a multistage sampling procedure, with eligibility determined by baseline scores on the Psychosocial Challenges of Teachers Questionnaire. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that both ACT and PPT produced significant reductions in stress levels compared to the control group, with mean differences of -4.72 and -5.70 for ACT and PPT, respectively. Pairwise comparisons indicated no significant difference between ACT and PPT, suggesting comparable effectiveness. Furthermore, gender did not significantly influence post-test stress outcomes, and no interaction effect between gender and intervention was observed. The study concluded that both ACT and PPT are effective, gender-neutral interventions for managing stress among secondary school teachers. Based on these findings, it was recommended that school counselling services incorporate these interventions, and that educational authorities provide training and institutional support to enhance teachers’ well-being. The study contributes empirical evidence to guide the adoption of structured psychotherapeutic interventions for teacher stress management in the Nigerian educational context.

Assessment of the prevalence of drug abuse among youths in Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State

AbdulQudus Tosin, Jamiu — 2026-05-10

Drug abuse is a global health and social problem with distinct conditions and problems that vary locally. The use of psychoactive substances among adolescents and youths has become a subject of public concern worldwide due to the fact that it contributes potentially to deliberate or unintentional harm or injury. This study assessed the prevalence of drug abuse among youths in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State. A descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted. The population of the study comprised of all youths in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State. Four hundred and fifty-eight (458) respondents were sampled through multistage sampling procedure for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled ‘Questionnaire on Prevalence of Drug Abuse among Youth”. The instrument was validated and found reliable with 0.80 reliability co-efficient using PPMC. Percentage was employed for data analysis. The study found that there is relatively low prevalence of alcohol abuse, tramadol abuse, cannabis abuse and codeine abuse among youths in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State. It was recommended that alcohol abuse prevention programmes should be maintained and strengthened in Ilorin East LGA to ensure the prevalence remains low, with continued community awareness campaigns targeting youths.

Relationship between emotional intelligence and students' adherence to academic integrity policies in Nigerian universities

Samson Pariola Akingbulu — 2026-05-10

Academic misconduct remains a pervasive challenge threatening the credibility and standards of higher education institutions globally. The study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and students' adherence to academic integrity policies in Nigerian universities. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select institutions and respondents. Five hundred (500) respondents were used for the study using self- developed questionnaire to obtain information from the respondents. The reliability of the instrument was obtained with test-retest approach using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and it yielded a coefficient of 0.86. The data collected from the questionnaire were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that, the emotional intelligence of students in Nigerian universities is at a high level. Also, adherence to academic integrity policies among students is moderate. There is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and adherence to academic integrity policies. It was recommended that, universities should regularly educate students on the importance of academic honesty through seminars, workshops, posters, and digital campaigns. Clear communication about what constitutes misconduct and its consequences is essential. Also, universities should incorporate emotional intelligence education into General Studies (GNS) courses, counselling programmes, orientation programmes, and co-curricular activities to help students develop emotional self-management and ethical decision-making skills.

Influence of TikTok contents on marital decision-making among undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria

Oyedotun D. Ilori — 2026-05-10

The emergence and widespread use of social media platforms have profoundly changed how young people form ideas about relationships, identity, and major life decisions. This study investigated the influence of TikTok contents on marital decision-making among undergraduate students in Kwara State, Nigeria, with gender as a moderating variable. This study adopted a descriptive survey of correlational type. The population of the study comprised of all undergraduates in selected tertiary institutions in the state, while 400 respondents were selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Two research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation, while the three hypotheses formulated were tested using inferential statistics, including Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation, independent samples t-test, and two-way ANOVA at 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that TikTok content significantly influences students' marital decision-making, particularly in terms of partner expectations, emotional readiness, and attitudes toward marriage. Female students were more influenced by TikTok contents than male students, and gender was found to significantly moderate the relationship between TikTok exposure and marital decision-making. Based on the findings, it was concluded that TikTok is a powerful socializing agent in shaping youth relational ideologies and recommended media literacy, gender-sensitive counselling interventions, and the use of digital platforms in relationship education.

Impact of social support on stress and anger levels of women exposed to violent conflicts in in Plateau State, Nigeria

Beatrice Paul Zuhumben — 2026-05-10

Women exposed to violent conflicts often experience severe psychological challenges such as stress, anger, and poor general well-being. Hence, this study investigated the impact of social support on stress and anger levels of psychological wellbeing among women exposed to violent conflicts in Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a quasi-experimental design, 100 women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps were selected and assigned to either a treatment group (social support) or a control group. The quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test and control group design was adopted. The data collection instruments included the Anger Management Scale, and Stress Scale. The null hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) statistical tool at a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that women who received social support had significantly lower stress levels and anger levels compared to the control group. The study highlights the importance of social support in mitigating the psychological impact of violent conflicts on women. The findings suggest that social support interventions can provide a sense of control, empowerment, and connection, enabling women to better manage their stress and improve their overall well-being. The study's results have implications for policymakers and practitioners designing interventions to support women affected by conflict.

Relationship between digital media consumption and academic performance among undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria

Foluke N. Bolu-Steve — 2026-05-10

The rise in digital media usage has transformed how undergraduates in Nigeria access information, communicate, and engage academically. This study investigated the relationship between digital media consumption and academic performance among undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria. A descriptive correlational survey design was adopted. The target population comprised all undergraduates in the state, while 403 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled Digital Media Usage and Academic Performance Questionnaire (DMUAPQ) was used for data collection. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, t-test, and one-way ANOVA at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that students demonstrated a high level of digital media consumption and a moderate to high level of academic performance. A significant difference in academic performance was found based on gender, while no significant differences were observed based on age or course of study. The study concluded that while digital media offers academic benefits, unregulated use may hinder academic performance. It recommended that institutions implement media literacy programmes and gender-sensitive counselling strategies to promote effective academic engagement.

Transactional model as a counselling intervention for reducing work-related stress among working-class women in Nigeria

Kehinde Oluwakemi Omoleyomi — 2026-05-10

Work stress has become a major source of concern among employees in Nigeria especially the working-class woman. This paper therefore explores work-related stress among working-class women in Nigeria, proposing the Transactional Model as an effective counselling intervention for mitigating its adverse effects. Prolonged work-related stress does not only affect employees’ emotional state but also has effects on their physical health and work performance. This paper highlights the concept of work-related stress, its symptoms, causes, effects, and coping strategies, while emphasizing the unique challenges faced by women in the workplace. By applying the Transactional Model, which emphasizes cognitive appraisal and coping mechanisms, the paper outline counselling strategies, including problem-focused and emotion-focused techniques, to empower women to manage work related stress effectively. The role of workplace counsellors in facilitating stress management and promoting a supportive work environment is highlighted. Through the integration of theoretical insights and practical recommendations, this paper aims to enhance the well-being and productivity of working-class women in Nigeria, contributing to their emotional resilience in an increasingly demanding professional landscape. Based on the presentation, it was suggested that work place counsellors should adopt transactional model as a counselling intervention for managing work related stress among working class women.