PERCEIVED EFFECT OF COUNSELLING-BASED CONFLICT RESOLUTION STRATEGIES AMONG PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OWERRI METROPOLIS, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the perceived ef ect of counselling-based conflict resolution strategies among senior secondary school students in public schools in Owerri metropolis, Imo state, Nigeria. Prompted by the growing incidence of student conflicts that disrupt school harmony, the research investigated senior secondary school students’ perception in the ef ect of the use of structured counselling interventions to resolve conflicts among students. The study population comprised three thousand and twenty three (3,023) senior secondary school students in the Owerri metropolis that have been exposed to at least 3 sessions of counselling relationships. A sample of three hundred (300) students was selected from the target population using a simple random sampling technique. The study made use of descriptive survey design. Three research questions guided the study. Data collection involved a validated instrument, the Counselling- Based Conflict Resolution Strategy Questionnaire (CBCRSQ). The instrument was administered twice to a similar sample with a two weeks interval. The data collected yielded a reliability value of 0.83 correlation coef icient using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results revealed that counselling strategies such as peer mediation, active listening, and nonviolent communication can significantly enhance students’ conflict resolution abilities. Based on the results, implications were highlighted. The study recommends integrating structured counselling programmes within schools, and curriculum-based conflict resolution education.