Authors : Folayemisi B. Adu; Ayodeji Badejo

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ycy46utw

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2vepn8mn

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov884

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Abstract : The desire for social acceptance and connection among adolescents and young adults has made some of them stay longer checking and sending text messages, which could eventually lead to excessive texting. This study investigated efficacy of self-control training in reducing compulsive texting behaviour among students in tertiary institutions in Lagos state. The study adopted pretest posttest quasi-experimental research design with two research questions and two hypotheses. The population comprised students in all tertiary institutions in Lagos State. The sample consisted of 85 students identified as compulsive texters, selected from two tertiary institutions in Lagos state through multi-stage sampling procedure. A 30-item research instrument titled ‘Text Messaging Addiction Scale” (TMAS), with a reliability coefficient of 0.83 was used for selecting sample, and for obtaining their pretest and posttest scores. Participants were grouped into two. The first group were exposed to an 8-week self- control training, while the second group were the control group. Data obtained were analyzed using percentages and ANCOVA. The first hypothesis was rejected,, while the second was not rejected. Findings revealed that a significant difference existed in the post test mean scores of compulsive texters exposed to self-control training as compared to those who were not; while gender do not have any influence. The study recommends that tertiary institutions should engage professional counsellors, adopt the use of self-control training and discourage excessive texting behaviour among students in tertiary institutions.

Keywords : Compulsive Texting Behaviour, Counsellor, Self-Control Training, Students in Tertiary Institutions.

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