Effects of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Social Learning Therapy in Reducing Adolescents’ Aggressive Behaviour among Secondary School Students in Oyo Town

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Social Learning Therapy in reducing adolescents' aggressive behaviour among senior secondary schools in Oyo Town. Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was adopted. The population of the study consisted all senior secondary school adolescents in the study area.  Sample of hundred and fifty adolescents were purposively chosen from three Senior Secondary schools in Oyo Town. There were two experimental treatment groups and one control group. Data were collected using the Verbal Aggressive behaviour Scale. Three research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study at 0.5 level of significance. The hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). After exposure to intervention therapies, the results showed that there was significant difference in the post-test aggression scores of participants. Based on the findings it was concluded that both therapeutic approaches have shown positive outcomes in improving students' emotional regulation and social interactions. Recommendations were made that schools should implement both Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Social Learning Therapy as part of programmes aimed at reducing aggressive behaviour in adolescents. Since adolescents have varied psychological and emotional needs, interventions should be personalized to meet individual students' needs.