ABSTRACT

The study investigated the Effectiveness of self-control techniques, relapse prevention therapy and a combination of smoking  behaviour among university undergraduates in Abia state, Nigeria. Seven research questions and seven null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The study adopted quasi-experimental research design employing non-randomized, pre-test posttest control group design. The population of the study comprised 602 students made up of 298 in MOUAU and 304 in ABSU in the 2017/2018 academic session. The sample size was 36 smokers assigned to the two treatment groups and the control group. The instruments for data collection were the “Students’ Smoking Behaviour Identification Scale” (SSBIS) and “Students’ Reinforcer Identification Schedule” (SRIS). The instruments were validated by three experts. The reliability index for SSBIS was 0.82, while that of SRIS was 0.72. The internal consistency of the instruments was determined using Cronbach Alpha method and the indices obtained were 0.86 and 0.75 for SSBIS and SRIS, respectively. The study adopted a systematic procedure for data collection. Data were collected in three phases, pre-treatment phase, post-treatment phase and the follow-up phase. Self-control techniques were intricately weaved into the counselling process and exposed to those in the self-control group in five sessions of approximately 45 minutes each and the SSBIS reshuffled and administered after two week’s interval to obtain the posttest score. Self-control and relapse prevention therapy techniques were exposed to those in the second treatment group in six sessions of approximately 45 minutes each and the SSBIS reshuffled and administered after a week’s interval to obtain the posttest score for that group. Data was also collected after a one-month period. The control group was a wait-list control group. Data obtained were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while Student t-test was used for hypotheses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) used to test null hypothesis 7. Findings revealed that counselling interventions using self-control and a combination of self-control and relapse prevention therapy were effective in the reduction of smoking behaviour among undergraduates at posttest. However, a combination of self-control and relapse prevention therapy was more efficacious than single treatment. Treatment efficacies were maintained at follow-up. The null hypotheses one to six were not rejected. The findings of the study revealed gender differences at follow-up. It was thus concluded that self-control techniques and relapse prevention therapy were effective in the reduction of smoking behaviour among undergraduates in Abia State, Nigeria. It was thus recommended among others that professional counsellors should utilize these techniques in assisting smokers to quit their smoking behaviour which could help to improve their academic performance, enhance their interpersonal relationships and help them live meaningful and fulfilled lives.