Impact of Psychosocial Intervention on Career Anxiety among University Students in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of psychosocial interventions on career anxiety among Nigerian university students, focusing on their unique socioeconomic challenges such as high unemployment and limited job opportunities. It also explores the role of demographic variables in the intervention’s effectiveness. An experimental design was conducted using 306 university students from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, was conducted. Participants were selected based on their scores on the University Students’ Career Anxiety Scale and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 153) or the control group (n = 153). The intervention comprised 12 sessions over six weeks, focusing on cognitive restructuring, stress management, and career planning. Data were collected at three points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and six-week follow-up. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used to examine the impact of the intervention and control for demographic variables. The psychosocial intervention significantly reduced career anxiety in the treatment group compared with the control group, with a large effect size at posttest (Cohen’s d = 0.74) and follow-up (Cohen’s d = 0.57). No significant interactions were found between the intervention’s effectiveness and demographic variables, such as gender, age, or academic level. Psychosocial interventions effectively alleviate career anxiety among Nigerian university students and offer long-term benefits. Educational institutions should implement psychosocial interventions to support students in managing career anxiety and making informed career decisions. Future research should focus on tailoring these interventions for specific demographic groups.