EFFECTIVENESS OF COUNSELLING APPROACHES IN STRENGTHENING FAMILY ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates how counseling approaches impact the economic survival and long-term development of families in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It focuses on the considerable economic difficulties that families face, the effectiveness of present counseling processes, and future transformation initiatives. Data from a field research were gathered by questionnaire, and the results were evaluated using mean ratings and standard deviations. The findings demonstrate that families in Ebonyi State face significant economic challenges, such as high poverty rates, youth unemployment, and limited access to quality education, agricultural problems, inflation, and gender inequality. Family therapy and support counseling, as well as career and work counseling, are now seen as useful; nevertheless, financial counseling, savings, and investing education are seen as ineffective. However, overall satisfaction with counseling services is moderate, with mean ratings of 2.55. The study proposed measures to increase counseling efficacy, such as making services more accessible, designing specialized programs, and fostering community collaborations, offering continuous counselor training, strengthening stakeholder participation, and implementing follow-up support systems. These studies effectively address Ebonyi State's economic concerns while also promoting long-term development. The grand mean of the research stresses the significance of a comprehensive, context-specific approach to counseling that focuses on enhancing Ebonyi State families' economic survival and long-term development.