Effect of Systematic-Desensitization-Counselling Technique on Social Anxiety among Secondary School Students in Nassarawa Zonal Education Directorate, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of systematic desensitization counselling techniques on social anxiety among secondary school students of Nassarawa Zonal Education Directorate, Kano State, Nigeria. Three hypotheses focusing on cognitive, behavioral and physiological dimensions of social anxiety were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted quasi-experimental research design in form of pre-test and post-test design only. The target population consist of 2,737 secondary school students identified with social anxiety out of which 30 students were sampled to participate in the study through purposive sampling technique. Two data collection instruments were used for the study: Social Anxiety Identification Checklist (SAIC) with the reliability of stability coefficient of r =.832 was established. Student Social Anxiety Inventory (SSAI) was the instrument used to quantify the severity of the Social Anxiety. The participants were assigned to treatment using Systematic Desensitization technique. Statistical analysis using paired sample t-test was used. Results obtained from the study indicated significant effect of on social anxiety among secondary school students with t = 4.750, p=0.001), t = -28.957, p=0.001) and t = -20.003, p=0.001). The results equally showed that there is significant effect of Systematic Desensitization Technique on the three dimensions of social anxiety among secondary school students with t = -3.117, p=0.004). t = -3.772, p=0.001) and t = -7. 910, p=0.001). In conclusion, Systematic Desensitization techniques was effective in treating social anxiety among Secondary School Students. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that Schools’ Counsellors should make good use of systematic desensitization techniques in counselling students with social anxiety.