RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL PHOBIA AND CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BOSSO METROPOLIS: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING SERVICES

Social phobia, also referred to as social anxiety disorder when it meets clinical diagnostic criteria, is a psychological condition characterised by persistent fear of social situations in which an individual may be observed, evaluated, embarrassed, or negatively judged by others. Among secondary school students, this fear may affect classroom participation, including answering questions, asking for clarification, participating in group discussions, delivering presentations, and contributing to classroom activities. This study examines the relationship between social phobia and classroom participation among secondary school students in Bosso Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria, with particular attention to the implications for counselling services. The study proposes a correlational research design. The target population will comprise secondary school students in the study area, while a sample will be selected through an appropriate multistage sampling procedure. Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire measuring social anxiety symptoms and classroom participation. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and appropriate regression analysis will be used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Ethical safeguards will include informed consent, appropriate parental consent and student assent for minors, confidentiality, and voluntary participation. The proposed study is expected to clarify whether higher levels of social phobia symptoms are associated with lower classroom participation and to provide evidence that may guide school-based counselling, confidence-building programmes, supportive classroom practices, and early identification of students experiencing social anxiety. Actual conclusions and recommendations concerning the strength and significance of the relationship will be determined after the collection and analysis of field data.