ABSTRACT

 This study explored the efficacy of wellness-oriented and strength-based psychological group programmes in the manumea-it of stress among married teachers in Abia State. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. A total of 36 married teachers in three secondary schüls in Aba Educational Zone of Abia State in the 20 16/2017 session were sampled using puose and simple random samples techniques for the study. This study adopted a pre-test, post-test, control group quasi experimental design with a 3 x 2 factorial matrix. The experimental groups adopted wellness oriented group programme (WOGP) strength based psychological group programme (SBPGP) and the control group using the conventional counselling approach. The three schools were randomly assigned to the treatment and control conditions. One instrument titled "Married Teachers' Self Scoring Stress Identification Questionnaire (MTSSSIQY' was developed by the researcher and validated by three experts. The validates were required to ensure the suitability of language, its clarity, relevance of items to the study and total coverage in addressing research questions, bearing in mind the purpose of the study. Internal consistency reliability coefficients were determined for the instruments. The calculated reliability coefficient estimates for (MTSSSIQ) done using Crombach alpha method and reliability indices of 0.83 and 0.77 respectively were got. Data obtained through the administration of the MTSSSIQ by the regular school counsellors who served as the research assistants, were organized and analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation and 2x2 analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), which revealed the following findings: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean stress reduction of married teachers who were exposed to weilness oriented group programme and strength—based psychological group programme. Gender was found to have no significant effect on the stress reduction scores of married teachers who were exposed to weliness oriented programme and strength-based psychological group programmes. A major educational implication of the findings is that weilness—oriented programme and strength based psychological group programme are effective in reducing work related stress of married teachers who have the tendency of complaining about work related stress and therefore could be effectively applied in stress reduction and management in our educational institutions, and is therefore recommended that teachers should be exposed to wellness oriented and strength based psychological group programmes.