EFFECTS OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY IN IMPROVING POOR STUDY HABIT AMONG STUDENTS IN OBIOAKPO, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study determined the 'Effects of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy in improving poor study habit
among students in Obio-Akpo local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria'Cohort quasi-experimental design was adopted, with three null hypotheses guiding the study. The population of the study consists of 4,761 ss3 students in public secondary schools in Obio-Akpo LGA for 2017/2018 academic session. Simple random sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 75 students from 3 schools identified with poor study habit. Three groups were formed, one experimental and two control groups. One group received REBT, the 2nd Placebo and the 3rd no treatment. The instrument for data collection was Students Study Behaviour Inventory (SSBI). Its face and content validity were ensured by test and guidance and counselling experts. Test-retest method of reliability using PPMC yielded a coefficient of r .78. Data was analyzed with mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. Results revealed that REBT had significant effect in improving poor study habit among students in the experimental group while the placebo had no effect on study habit of students, the control group did not show any improvement when compared to the REBT experimental group. Based on the findings it was recommended that REBT should be adopted by school counsellors to tackle poor study habit among students. Obio-Akpo LGA should liaise with the state government to ensure the employment of
counsellors in all her public schools to carter for students' needs.