Attitude of Ghanaian University Students Towards Online Counselling

Online counselling is a complement to the traditional face-to-face approach to counselling. Experts in counselling, however, strongly believe that before online counselling is introduced, it is necessary to ascertain its potential utilization by clients. This study, therefore, investigated the attitude of Ghanaian students towards online counselling using the descriptive survey design. Two research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised all regular undergraduate students in the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. A sample of 600 students made up of 360 males and 240 females was used. Proportional stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed. Two online counselling attitude scales were used to source for data. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations and independent samples t-test. The study revealed that respondents’ attitude towards online counselling was both positive and negative. The study also found that although both male and female students expressed positive attitude towards online counselling, females expressed a more positive attitude towards online counselling than their male counterparts. Similarly, both genders demonstrated negative attitude towards online counselling, but males showed a more negative attitude towards online counselling as compared to their female counterparts. However, no significant differences were found in students’ attitudes towards online counselling on the basis of gender. A major implication of the findings was that students have the potential to utilise online counselling, since they demonstrated positive attitude towards online counselling. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counsellors should introduce online counselling to complement the traditional face-to-face approach to counselling. Again, counsellors should educate students on the benefits of online counselling so as to reduce their negative attitude towards online counselling. Keywords: Online counselling; positive attitude; negative attitude; university student

Evaluation of Guidance Services in Senior High Schools in Gomoa West District in the Central Region of Ghana

Guidance services are primarily designed to promote the educational, career and personal-social development of students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the delivery of guidance services in senior high schools in the Gomoa West District in the Central Region of Ghana based on the views of students. The population of the study comprised senior high students. Three hundred students were randomly selected for the study. Proportional stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the sample for the study. The research design for the study was descriptive survey. Questionnaire was used to obtain the data from the students. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and independent samples t-test were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that the appraisal service was effectively implemented while the information, consultation and counselling services were not effectively implemented. The results also revealed that gender is not a significant determinant of students’ evaluation of the information, consultation and counselling services. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counsellors should pay great attention to all guidance services in order to effectively promote the personal, social, educational and career development of students. Keywords: Guidance and counselling; Guidance services; implementation; evaluation; senior high school student

Gender, Age and Marital Status Differences in Anger Expression Among Tumu College of Education Students

This study investigated the effect of sex, age and marital status on the expression of anger among Tumu college of education students. A descriptive survey design guided this investigation. A sample size of 250 college students were used for the investigation. The sampling technique used to select the participants for the investigation was simple random sampling. A Self-report anger instrument was used to collect the data for the study based on six-point Likert type scale. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated a statistically significant difference with regard to the influence of gender on anger. Also, there was no statistically significant influence of age on anger. Again, the study revealed no statistically significant difference of marital status on anger. In view of the results of the study, it was recommended that counsellors should provide anger management therapies to college students irrespective of age and marital status. Also, counsellors should take gender into consideration when providing interventions with regard to coping with anger. Keywords: Anger, Gender, Age, Marital Status, Impact, Students, College. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-4-04 Publication date:March 31st 2024

Assessment of the counselling needs of students in a Ghanaian public university: Assessment of the counselling needs of students in a Ghanaian public university

Needs assessment is the starting point for developing comprehensive and relevant counselling services for students. This study assessed the counselling needs of students in the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all students in the University. A sample of 335 students made up of 286 males and 49 females was selected through proportional stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques. A needs assessment questionnaire was used to source for the data. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations and independent samples t-test. The study found that practical and vocational/career needs were the most pressing needs of students. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference between the counselling needs of male and female students. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counsellors at the University of Energy and Natural Resources should design and implement counselling services based on the most important needs of the students: practical and vocational/career needs

Efficacy of combined therapy of cognitive restructuring and study skills counselling on test anxiety among senior high school students in Ghana: Efficacy of combined therapy of cognitive restructuring and study skills counselling on test anxiety among senior high school students in Ghana

Test anxiety is a serious problem for many students. It is a major obstacle to academic performance. In view of this, it is necessary to help students manage test anxiety through psychological interventions. This study investigated the combined effects of cognitive restructuring therapy and study skills counselling on test anxiety among senior high school students in Ghana. The population for this study was all second year senior high School students in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipality. Quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test control group design guided the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 40 respondents to participate in the study. Two research hypotheses were formulated for the study and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data were analysed using independent samples t-test. The study revealed that cognitive restructuring and study skills counselling had significant effect on the test anxiety of participants in the experimental group at post-test when compared with the control. Again, the results showed that there was no significant influence of gender on the test anxiety scores of the participants in the experimental group at post-test. Based on the findings, it was recommended that counsellors should make use of cognitive restructuring and study skills counselling in order to reduce or manage test anxiety among senior high school students

Improving the study behaviour of Ghanaian senior high school students through counselling: Improving the study behaviour of Ghanaian senior high school students through counselling

Despite the importance of study skills counselling, students in Ghana are not explicitly taught how to study. This study, therefore, explored the effects of study skills counselling on the study behaviour of senior high school students in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. The quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test control group design was adopted for the study. The target population of the study consisted of all senior high school form one students. A sample of 40 respondents was selected through the simple random sampling technique. A study behaviour inventory was used in gathering the data. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using independent samples t-test. The findings revealed that study skills counselling significantly improved the study behaviour of participants when compared with the control group. It was also discovered that study skills counselling had significant effects on all the five components of study behaviour at post-test. In contrast, the results indicated that gender did not have significant influence on study behaviour at post-test. Based on the findings, it was recommended that study skills counselling be adopted as a viable approach for improving study behaviour among senior school students so as to enhance their academic achievement. Implications for counselling were also provided

Relevance of Trees and Forests to Sustainable Development: Perspectives of Key Rural Actors in Selected Communities, Ghana

In consonance with the universal quest for sustainable development, the United Nations (UN) declared 17 global goals in 2015 known as the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Scholarly literature has highlighted the relevance of trees and forests (TFs) to this quest from various perspectives. However, the perspectives appear elitist, as they tend to exclude those of some seemingly ordinary but actually crucial actors whose activities directly affect the growth, health, and population of TFs, namely small-scale farmers, chainsaw operators, and artisanal miners operating particularly in rural areas in developing countries. The study examined the excluded perspectives of the said actors in selected rural comminutes in Ghana on the relevance of TFs to SD. The study was guided by the SDGs in its data collection, analysis, and reporting approach. Focus group discussions were held with the farmers and miners, while in-depth interviews were held with the chainsaw operators. The actors‘ perspectives generally indicated that TFs were relevant to seven, not relevant to six, and somehow relevant to four of the 17 SDGs. Although the actors saw TFs as important for SD, they (actors) were not favourably disposed to tree-planting for purposes of land restoration because they saw TFs as renewable resources with natural regenerative capacity. Stronger advocacy and more intensive sensitization by the central and local governments, forestry commission, and other pro-environmental organisations, institutions, and agencies on the importance of growing, nurturing, and conserving TFS for SD are recommended. Furthermore, the government should enforce regulations to stop the destruction of TFs by the actors to ensure a sustainable green environment for sustainable development