MANAGING GAMBLING BEHAVIOUR AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA: AN INTERVENTION STUDY OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

Abstract

The high rate of gambling across the world and specifically Nigerian as a country is worrisome as many secondary school students are fast engaging in gambling behaviour. Gambling behaviour is becoming increasingly prevalent and is an important mental health priority. The study investigated effect of rational Emotive behavioural therapy on gambling behaviour among students in Enugu state. The study adopted the pre-test, post-test control group quasi experimental research design. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study.The population for the study was 60 participants who met the criterion for selection. Researchers made questionnaire titled; Students Gambling Assessment Scale (SGAS) adapted from  Kim., Grant, Adson and Shin.(2001) Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) was used to collect data for this study. Mean and standard deviation was used in answering the research questions while ANCOVA was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there was a significant effect of REBT technique in reducing gambling behaviour among students in Nsukka Education Zone. Based on the findings, it was recommended that; Gambling students should be encouraged to receive psychotherapeuticprogramme like REBT and other therapies that have the efficacy of reducing or removing in totality every form of gambling behavioural problems. Counsellors should be well equipped in this area of using this therapeutic skill. Also, Parents, significant others, stakeholders in the school, andadult members of the family should be encouraged to maintain and live a peaceful and healthy family relationship.