Abstract

This study investigated the Effect of Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) in the Management of Deviant Behaviours of Senior Secondary School Students in Nasarawa State. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Using purposive sampling technique, two secondary schools in Nasarawa State were selected for the study. The total population of the study was 1418 consisting of all SS two students while the sample size was 60 respondents. The respondents were screened to determine their suitability using a modified Buss and Perry (1992) aggressive scales. The instrument for data collection was called Rational Emotive and Deviant Behavior Inventory (REDBI). It was used for data collection at both the pretest and posttest. The experimental group was treated with deviant behaviour education based on REBT for twelve weeks while the control group received no REBT treatment; they were given a study habit placebo. The post test was administered and the result was analyzed using mean, standard deviation and ANCOVA. The results revealed that there is a significant difference in mean rating between the experimental and control groups in their measurement of aggression and drug abuse. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy should be used in effecting behavioural change in the students who manifest aggression and drug abuse. School administrators should organize capacity building workshops and seminars for school counsellors to enhance their skills in the use of REBT in counselling students with deviant behaviours.