ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effects of Empathy and Unconditional positive regard Counselling Techniques on the self-concept of juvenile delinquents in Kano State. One of the objectives is to find out the effect of Empathy and Unconditional Positive regard counselling techniques in enhancing the self-concept of juvenile delinquents in the remand Homes in Kano State. Five objectives and corresponding research questions guided the study, and seven hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study was conducted on a sample of 60 selected juvenile delinquents from two Remand Homes in Kano (Goron Dutse and Kiru Reformatory Homes in Kano State). Juvenile delinquents were identified among remand homes in mates by the Remand Homes officials. Pre-test post-test control group, which is an aspect of quasi experimental Design, was adopted as the design for the study. The data collected was analyzed using mean scores, t-test for independent samples and ANOVA. The results of the study revealed that Empathy and unconditional positive regard techniques were effective in enhancing the self-concept of juvenile delinquents in the remand homes. No significant difference was observed in the post test mean scores among different age groups, in the enhancing their self concept. It was also found that the effect of the two techniques (Empathy and Unconditional positive Regard) is almost similar in enhancing the self-concept of juvenile delinquents in the Remand Homes. It is recommended that counsellors and social workers should be trained in the use of the techniques in counselling for self-concept enhancement and reducing juvenile delinquency.