Project – The Influence of Christian Counselling on Moral Development and Behavioural Adjustment of Teenagers in Five Selected Secondary Schools in Surulere, Lagos

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Adolescence is a critical stage in human development characterized by rapid physical, emotional, psychological, social, and moral changes. It is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood during which young people develop their identity, values, attitudes, and behavioural patterns. During this stage, teenagers are highly influenced by family background, peer groups, school environment, religious teachings, and societal expectations. Because adolescents are still developing emotionally and morally, they are often vulnerable to behavioural problems such as aggression, disobedience, dishonesty, examination malpractice, bullying, truancy, substance abuse, cultism, and other forms of maladjustment. Researchers have noted that adolescence is often associated with “stress and storm” due to the emotional and developmental challenges experienced during this stage of life (Omede, 2018).

Moral development refers to the process through which individuals learn and internalize values, principles, and standards of right and wrong behaviour accepted by society. It involves the development of honesty, discipline, responsibility, respect, empathy, integrity, and obedience to societal norms. Behavioural adjustment, on the other hand, refers to an individual’s ability to adapt positively to social, emotional, educational, and environmental demands. A behaviourally adjusted teenager is able to maintain healthy relationships, obey school rules, manage emotions effectively, and demonstrate socially acceptable conduct. Moral development and behavioural adjustment are essential for the successful growth and future development of adolescents.

In recent years, concerns about moral decadence and behavioural problems among secondary school students have increased globally and particularly in Nigeria. Cases of indiscipline, violence, disrespect for authority, examination malpractice, internet fraud, bullying, drug abuse, and cult-related activities among teenagers have become common in schools and communities. Studies have shown that moral decline among adolescents poses serious challenges to educational development and societal stability (Oyenike & Pariola, 2024). Many parents, teachers, religious leaders, and counsellors are worried about the increasing level of immoral behaviour and emotional instability among teenagers.

The Nigerian society has experienced rapid social, economic, technological, and cultural changes that significantly influence adolescent behaviour. Teenagers are increasingly exposed to social media influence, peer pressure, family instability, economic hardship, and negative societal values. These factors often affect their moral reasoning and behavioural adjustment. Research indicates that family conditions, parental guidance, and counselling interventions play significant roles in shaping adolescents’ moral development and behavioural outcomes (Adeniji & Kasali, 2025). In many homes today, parents have limited time to provide proper moral instruction and supervision for their children because of work pressure and economic challenges. Consequently, many teenagers seek direction and identity from peers and media influences, which may expose them to immoral behaviour.

Schools are expected to serve not only as centres for academic learning but also as institutions for character formation and moral development. However, many schools are currently struggling with behavioural problems among students. Teachers and school administrators frequently encounter cases of indiscipline, absenteeism, violence, disrespect, emotional instability, and poor social adjustment among teenagers. These problems negatively affect students’ academic performance, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and future aspirations. Researchers have emphasized that school-based counselling services are important in helping students overcome adjustment problems and behavioural difficulties (Kennedy, 2019).

Counselling is a professional helping relationship aimed at assisting individuals to understand themselves, solve personal problems, improve decision-making, and develop positive behaviour. Educational counselling helps students manage emotional, social, academic, and behavioural challenges. Counsellors use various strategies such as guidance sessions, behavioural modification, mentoring, value orientation, group counselling, and cognitive restructuring to help adolescents develop positive attitudes and healthy lifestyles. Studies have shown that counselling interventions are effective in reducing maladjusted behaviours and promoting positive behavioural outcomes among adolescents (Ibav & Atumba, 2025).

Christian counselling is a specialized form of counselling that integrates biblical teachings, spiritual principles, and psychological approaches in helping individuals address personal and behavioural problems. Christian counselling emphasizes moral instruction, spiritual growth, repentance, discipline, forgiveness, self-control, and obedience to God’s commandments. It aims at helping individuals develop Christ-like character and positive behaviour through scriptural guidance, prayer, mentoring, and faith-based support. Christian counselling recognizes that moral and behavioural problems are not only social or psychological issues but may also have spiritual dimensions requiring spiritual guidance and transformation.

The Bible places strong emphasis on moral uprightness, discipline, and godly behaviour. Scriptures such as Proverbs 22:6 encourage parents and guardians to train children in the right way so that they will not depart from it. Similarly, Galatians 5:22–23 highlights virtues such as love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as important qualities expected of believers. Christian counselling therefore seeks to promote these virtues among teenagers and guide them away from immoral and destructive behaviour. Through counselling sessions, Bible studies, mentorship programmes, youth fellowships, and prayer meetings, Christian counsellors help teenagers develop moral values and healthy behavioural patterns.

Christian counselling has become increasingly important in addressing adolescent behavioural problems because it focuses on both moral and spiritual transformation. Many churches and Christian organizations organize youth counselling programmes aimed at promoting discipline, leadership, emotional stability, and positive behavioural adjustment among teenagers. Christian counselling also provides emotional support to adolescents experiencing stress, confusion, peer pressure, identity crisis, and behavioural challenges. Studies have shown that religious education and values clarification significantly contribute to adolescents’ moral development and ethical behaviour (Omeonu & Matthews, 2005).

Value orientation counselling has also been identified as an effective strategy for reducing moral decadence among secondary school students. Research conducted in Kaduna State found that value orientation counselling significantly improved moral standards and reduced immoral behaviour among secondary school students (Jibrin, Salman, & Makarfi, 2023). This suggests that counselling strategies rooted in moral and spiritual values may positively influence teenagers’ behavioural adjustment and character formation.

Research has further shown that Christian adolescents who are actively involved in religious activities such as Bible study, prayer meetings, discipleship programmes, and church fellowships often demonstrate healthier behavioural dispositions and lower involvement in behavioural problems compared to their peers (Omede, 2023). This indicates that Christian counselling and spiritual guidance may positively influence teenagers’ moral consciousness, self-control, and behavioural adjustment.

In urban communities such as Surulere in Lagos State, teenagers are exposed to different social and environmental influences that may affect their moral development and behavioural adjustment. Surulere is a highly populated urban area characterized by diverse lifestyles, commercial activities, technological exposure, and social interactions. Teenagers in this environment often encounter peer pressure, exposure to internet content, family instability, social competition, and societal influences that may encourage behavioural problems and moral decline. Consequently, there is a growing need for effective counselling approaches that can guide adolescents toward positive moral behaviour and emotional adjustment.

Despite the increasing concern about moral decadence and maladjusted behaviours among teenagers, there appears to be limited empirical studies specifically examining the influence of Christian counselling on moral development and behavioural adjustment among secondary school students in Surulere, Lagos State. Most previous studies focused generally on counselling services, moral decadence, or adolescent adjustment problems without specifically evaluating Christian counselling as a strategy for promoting moral and behavioural transformation among teenagers. This gap therefore creates the need for this study on the influence of Christian counselling on moral development and behavioural adjustment of teenagers in five selected secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Moral decadence and behavioural maladjustment among teenagers have become major concerns in Nigerian secondary schools. Many adolescents are increasingly involved in behaviours such as disobedience, disrespect for authority, bullying, examination malpractice, truancy, aggression, substance abuse, dishonesty, cultism, and internet fraud. These behaviours negatively affect students’ academic achievement, emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and future development. Research has shown that moral decadence among secondary school students constitutes a serious challenge to educational institutions and society at large (Oyenike & Pariola, 2024).

Teenagers today are exposed to various social pressures and environmental influences that affect their moral reasoning and behavioural adjustment. Factors such as peer pressure, poor parental supervision, broken homes, economic hardship, exposure to negative media content, and declining societal values contribute significantly to behavioural problems among adolescents. Many teenagers struggle with emotional instability, identity crisis, poor self-control, and social adjustment difficulties. Studies have established that weak parental guidance, family instability, and poor moral upbringing contribute significantly to poor moral adjustment among adolescents (Adeniji & Kasali, 2025).

Although schools have disciplinary measures and guidance services, behavioural problems among students continue to increase. In many schools, counselling services are either inadequate or focused mainly on academic guidance rather than moral and spiritual development. Some schools lack qualified counsellors, while others do not have structured programmes aimed at promoting moral values and behavioural adjustment among teenagers. As a result, many students do not receive adequate emotional, moral, and spiritual support necessary for positive character formation.

Christian counselling has been identified as an important strategy for promoting moral values, discipline, emotional stability, and positive behaviour among adolescents. Through biblical teachings, mentoring, prayer, and value-based counselling, teenagers may develop stronger moral consciousness and healthier behavioural patterns. Studies have shown that counselling interventions based on value orientation and moral instruction can reduce maladjusted behaviour and improve students’ moral standards (Omeonu & Matthews, 2005). Furthermore, Christian ethical teachings have been recognized as important tools for addressing moral decline among Nigerian youths (Ojediran, 2026). However, despite the recognized importance of Christian counselling, there is insufficient empirical evidence regarding its influence on moral development and behavioural adjustment among secondary school teenagers in Surulere, Lagos State.

It is against this background that this study seeks to examine the influence of Christian counselling on moral development and behavioural adjustment of teenagers in five selected secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of Christian counselling on moral development and behavioural adjustment of teenagers in five selected secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Examine the causes of moral and behavioural problems among teenagers in secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State.
2. Identify the Christian counselling strategies used in promoting moral development among teenagers.
3. Determine the influence of Christian counselling on behavioural adjustment of teenagers in secondary schools.
4. Examine the challenges affecting the effectiveness of Christian counselling among teenagers in secondary schools.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What are the causes of moral and behavioural problems among teenagers in secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State?
2. What Christian counselling strategies are used in promoting moral development among teenagers?
3. What influence does Christian counselling have on behavioural adjustment of teenagers in secondary schools?
4. What challenges affect the effectiveness of Christian counselling among teenagers in secondary schools?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance:

Ho₁: There is no significant relationship between Christian counselling and the moral development and behavioural adjustment of teenagers in secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial to students, teachers, counsellors, parents, churches, educational administrators, and researchers.

The study will help teenagers understand the importance of moral discipline, spiritual growth, and positive behavioural adjustment. It may also encourage students to seek counselling support when facing emotional or behavioural challenges.

School counsellors and teachers will benefit from the study by gaining better understanding of how Christian counselling strategies can be used to promote moral development and behavioural stability among students. The findings may also help improve counselling programmes in schools.

Parents will benefit from the findings because the study will emphasize the importance of parental guidance, moral instruction, and spiritual upbringing in shaping adolescents’ behaviour and character.

Churches and Christian organizations will find the study useful in strengthening youth mentorship and counselling programmes aimed at promoting godly values and positive behaviour among teenagers.

Educational administrators and policy makers may use the findings to improve counselling services and moral education programmes in secondary schools.

Finally, the study will contribute to existing literature on Christian counselling, moral development, adolescent behaviour, and behavioural adjustment, thereby serving as a useful reference material for future researchers.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the influence of Christian counselling on moral development and behavioural adjustment of teenagers in five selected secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos State. The study will be limited to selected secondary schools within Surulere Local Government Area. The content scope covers moral development, behavioural adjustment, Christian counselling strategies, and challenges affecting counselling effectiveness among teenagers.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Christian Counselling: A form of counselling that integrates biblical teachings, spiritual guidance, and psychological principles in addressing behavioural and emotional problems.

Moral Development: The process through which individuals learn and practice values, ethics, and standards of right behaviour accepted by society.

Behavioural Adjustment: The ability of an individual to adapt positively to social, emotional, educational, and environmental situations.

Teenagers: Adolescents between childhood and adulthood, usually between ages 13 and 19 years.

Counselling Strategies: Techniques and methods used by counsellors to guide individuals toward positive behaviour and emotional stability.

Secondary School Students: Learners enrolled in junior or senior secondary schools.

Project – The Influence of Christian Counselling on Moral Development and Behavioural Adjustment of Teenagers in Five Selected Secondary Schools in Surulere, Lagos