Guidance Services and Emotional Stability of Secondary School Students in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between guidance services and emotional stability of secondary school students in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 5,318 SS 2 students in secondary school in Uyo Local Government Area, from which a sample of 545 students was selected using simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire titled Guidance Services and Emotional Stability Questionnaire (GSESQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling as well as Measurement and Evaluation, and a reliability coefficient of 0.83 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha method. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation to answer the research questions and test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a very strong positive and significant relationship between counselling service and emotional stability of students. It was also found that information service have a moderate positive and significant relationship with emotional stability, while orientation service showed a strong positive and significant relationship with emotional stability of secondary school students. Based on these findings, it was concluded that guidance services play a crucial role in enhancing students’ emotional stability. It was recommended, among others, that Akwa Ibom State Government Area should strengthen guidance services by providing adequate facilities to ensure that students receive proper emotional and psychological support.