PREDICTIVE INFLUENCE OF COUNSELLOR’S PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPETENCE ON COUNSELLING SERVICES UTILIZATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF TAI SOLARIN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, NIGERIA: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study investigated the predictive influence of counsellor’s professionalism and competence on counselling service utilization among undergraduates of Tai solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Nigeria: Artificial intelligence perspective. Descriptive survey research design was employed. The population comprised 250 undergraduates from three colleges within TASFUED. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representative inclusion of students based on gender and college affiliation and simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data was collected using a researchers-designed questionnaire titled “Counselling Utilization Questionnaire (CUQ),” face and content validated by experts in counselling psychology, with a high reliability coefficient of 0.80 established via Cronbach’s Alpha. The instrument measured perceptions on professionalism, competence on counselling utilization on an adapted 4-point Likert scale. Data analysis involved Pearson Product Moment Correlation to determine relationships and independent t-tests to assess gender differences. It was concluded that counsellor professionalism and competence are influenced counselling service utilization among undergraduates of Tai Solarin University of Education. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended, among others, that university management prioritise continuous professional development for counsellors to enhance their ethical standards, thereby boosting students’ trust and engagement with counselling services. Interpersonal skills, technical competence and the use of AI tools should be acquired by counsellors.