Effects of Assertiveness Training and Cognitive Restructuring on Low Self-Esteem and Depressive Disorders Among Students of Technical Universities in Southern Ghana

Abstract

Self-esteem is connected to depression and a wide range of other clinical conditions such as learning disorders, social phobia and hyperactivity disorder. The study sought to ascertain the effects of assertiveness training and cognitive restructuring on low self-esteem and depression levels among technical university students in Ghana. The study was quasi-experimental study. The simple random sampling method was used to select 60 participants for the study. Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem (RSE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Scales were used for the data collection. The Cronbach Alpha for the instruments were 0.77 and 0.72 for RSE and BDI respectively. The statistical tools used for data analysis were frequencies, percentages, one-way analysis of covariance (One-way ANCOVA) and two-way analysis of covariance (Twoway ANCOVA). The results showed that participants who were exposed to assertiveness training and cognitive restructuring recorded better scores in the post-test scores as compared to participants in the control group who were not exposed to any intervention. It was found that significant differences existed between the cognitive restructuring and assertiveness training groups, and the control group. It was concluded that the intervention programmes using cognitive restructuring and assertiveness training were effective in improving recommended that counsellors and lecturers of technical universities should be motivated and supported by management of the universities, governments, parents and the larger community to help organize assertiveness training, found to have low self-esteem and depressed.