EFFECT OF COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING ON TRUANCY REDUCTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

OMOTOYINBO Mary Oluwatoyin & ADESUNLORO Taiwo Funmilayo

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of cognitive restructuring on truancy reduction among secondary school students in Ekiti State. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were answered and tested. The research design was a 2x2x2 factorial design consisting of one treatment, control group, gender and school location. The sample consisted of 144 truant students drawn from four schools out of sixteen local governments using a multistage sampling technique. The research instrument was a questionnaire tagged ‘Self Perception on Truancy Behaviour Questionnaire (SPTBQ). Participants were randomly assigned to treatment, control group and pre-tested and post-tested with the questionnaire. The experimental group were subjected to the treatment. The data were analysed using, Analysis of Covariance and Multiple Classification Analysis. Findings revealed that there was a significant difference in truancy reduction of students exposed to the treatment and control group. The study also revealed that there was no significant difference in truancy reduction due to gender and location of students exposed to treatment. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers, counsellors and psychologists should adopt cognitive restructuring in assisting students to improve their school attendance.