Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in The Treatment of Social Anxiety Among Secondary School Students in Rural Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Statement of the problem: In a school setting, the stress, frustration and trauma of being socially anxious amidst other individuals could be devastating and detrimental to the psychological well-being of adolescents. Socially anxious adolescents often are unable to function adequately with peers and significant others. Thus, the impact of social anxiety appears to be highly handicapping and create maladjustment in most aspects of their life such as social, intellectual personality and academic achievement. This study therefore intends to use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the treatment of social anxiety among adolescents in the secondary schools in the rural area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Methodology: A pretest-posttest control group quasi experimental research design was used in the study. Findings: Four hypotheses were raised in this study, the results obtained shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective in the treatment of social anxiety among the participants than control group. Conclusion : Adolescents need favourable atmosphere devoid of psychological problems in order to minimize the problems of social anxiety. Recommendations are made for government to employ well informed counseling psychologist in secondary schools. This would ensure a thriving and healthy society, where individuals can interact positively to ensure national growth.