The Psychosocial Challenges of Female Secondary School Students in Abeokuta Metropolis: Implications for Mental Health Counsellors

Abstract

The period of adolescence is associated with several dramatic changes and life challenges particularly among female secondary school students. This study, therefore, investigated the psycho-social challenges of female secondary school students in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The variables taken into consideration were age, class, school type and mother’s educational attainment. It was a survey research. Sample comprised all the female in-school adolescents in Abeokuta metropolis. A questionnaire entitled “Psychosocial Challenges of Female Students Questionnaire” (PCFSQ) was used to collect data for the study. The findings revealed that the psychosocial challenges of female in-school adolescents were a result of their body shape, sexual harassment from teachers, fear of failure, being bullied by male counterparts, and pressure to perform excellently among others. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that mental health counsellors should assist female in-school adolescents to overcome psychosocial challenges.