Effects of Cognitive Restructuring and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Counselling Techniques on Avoidant Personality Disorder Among Primary Pupils in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

This study uses a quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test control group design to investigate the effects of Cognitive Restructuring (CR) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) techniques in supporting Primary 3 pupils who exhibit signs of avoidant Personality Disorder in the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T.), Nigeria. The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of these techniques in reducing avoidant Personality Disorder and improving social interaction skills among young children. Two research questions with corresponding null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population comprised 60 Primary 3 pupils exhibiting signs of avoidant Personality Disorder, with a sample of 36 pupils (18 boys and 18 girls) drawn from three public primary schools: Government Primary School Gwagwalada, Government Primary School Kuje, and Government Primary School Kwali. An instrument titled the Avoidant Personality Disorder Checklist (adapted to suit DSM-5 criteria) was used to assess avoidant behaviours and social interaction. The study spanned 12 weeks, during which 9 pupils received CR intervention, 9 underwent DBT, and the remaining 18 pupils served as the control group with no intervention.Data were analysed using mean scores to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. ANCOVA was used to compare post-test scores across groups while statistically controlling for pre-test differences.The results indicated that Cognitive Restructuring significantly reduced avoidant Personality  Disorder and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy effectively improved emotional regulation and social interaction among Primary 3 pupils, even after adjusting for baseline scores. The study recommends that teachers, school counsellors, and therapists adopt these evidence-based psychological techniques to support children showing signs of avoidant behaviour, with an emphasis on early intervention and collaboration with parents and caregivers.