INFLUENCE OF PEER COUNSELLING ON SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BARKIN-LADI LGA, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of peer counselling on the social adjustment of adolescents in selected secondary schools in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 1,250 students in Senior Secondary School classes (SS1–SS3) across five randomly selected schools, from which a sample of 303 respondents was drawn using Yamane’s formula and stratified random sampling. Data were collected with a researcher-designed instrument, Peer Counselling and Social Adjustment Questionnaire (PCSAQ), which was validated by experts and yielded a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and independent sample t-test at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that peer counselling had a significant positive effect on communication skills and sense of belonging among adolescents but did not significantly influence conflict resolution skills. The study concluded that peer counselling, when properly structured and supported, is an effective and low-cost approach to improving adolescents’ social adjustment. It was recommended that schools strengthen peer counselling programmes, integrate conflict resolution modules, provide professional supervision, and encourage whole-school activities that promote inclusion and connectedness.