Social Intelligence As A Predictor Of Counsellor Competencies Of Prospective Counsellors In Public Universities In Edo And Delta States

Abstract

This study investigated social intelligence as a predictor of counselling competencies among prospective counselors in public universities in Edo and Delta States. Its aim was to precisely examine the level of social intelligence among these individuals and determine whether it predicts their counselling competencies. In other words, it was not a comparative study based on sex or class within the states. Two research questions were raised and one hypothesis formulated and tested at significant level of 0.05. Survey research design adopting the correlational approach was used in the study. The population of the study comprised all Master’s students in public universities in Edo and Delta States in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sessions who had completed practicum counselling course. A sample of 81 prospective counsellors was used for the study. The researchers used the Tromsꝋ Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) and the Counsellor Competency Scale (CCS) as research instruments. The reliabilities of the instruments were established using the Cronbach’s alpha statistic. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and regression analysis. The findings of the study implied the social intelligence level of potential counsellors in public universities in Edo and Delta States was high, and social intelligence significantly predicted counselling competencies of prospective counsellors in public universities in the Edo and Delta States.