The Impact Of Cyber Counseling On Mental Health Outcomes In Rivers State University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
Cyber-counseling, mental health outcomes, psychological well-being, behavioral functioning, university studentsAbstract
This study examined the impact of cyber-counseling on mental health outcomes among students of Rivers State University, with emphasis on psychological well-being, behavioral functioning, and social well-being. The study adopted a descriptive correlational research design. The population comprised all undergraduate students of Rivers State University, with an estimated population of 30,000, from which a sample size of 400 students was selected using Taro Yamane’s formula. A multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Cyber-Counseling and Mental Health Outcomes Questionnaire (CCMHOQ), which was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.82. Data analysis was carried out using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions, while simple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that cyber-counseling has a significant positive impact on students’ psychological well-being, behavioral functioning, and social well-being. Specifically, increased utilization of cyber-counseling services was associated with reduced emotional distress, improved coping behaviors, and enhanced social interaction among students. Based on these findings, the study concluded that cyber-counseling is an effective and relevant approach for addressing mental health challenges among university students. It was recommended that universities integrate cyber-counseling into their student support systems, provide training for counselors, and create awareness to encourage student participation.
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