Impact of dialectic behaviour therapy and assertiveness training on the mental health of socially stressed senior secondary students

Abstract

Social stress resulting from substance abuse is a growing global concern. It is linked to mental health with psychosocial challenges faced by a large number of the populace in Nigeria. It is worrisome, especially among students in senior secondary schools in Port-Harcourt Metropolis. Thus, this research examined ‘Dialectic Behaviour Therapy and Assertiveness Training’ in managing psychosocial mental health problems of senior secondary school students who abuse substances in the Port-Harcourt metropolis. Tests before and after the study had a population of 9.650 students and employed quasi-experimental procedures. For the study, a 75-student sample from senior secondary school 2, comprised of 37 males and 38 females, was selected utilizing a multistage selection approach. Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends Trouble, Edinburg Mental well-being scale, and Social Phobia Inventory were the instruments utilized to collect the data. Findings revealed significant differences in the psychosocial problems of adolescents in senior secondary schools because of the interventions, however, dialectic behaviour therapy made more impact in the reduction of adolescents’ social stress though both treatments had a significant impact.

Keywords: Assertiveness training, dialectic behaviour therapy, mental health, social stress, substance abuse