Contemporary Issues on Adolescents and Counseling

Adolescence phase of life is widely recognized as a transition period characterized by rapid developmental changes. While the transition is from the childhood to adulthood, the developmental changes are biologically, psychologically and socially inclined. For many
adolescents the period is full of crisis because of their inability to adjust to the demands of this phase of life. Some of the effects of maladjustment at this stage include but not limited to unwanted pregnancies　and abortions, school drop-out, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, addictive behavior, disobedience to parents and authorities, religion intolerance,　poor eating habits.　
The future development of any nation depends largely on smooth transition of adolescents to adults. Information and researches on how this could be achieved will be needed. Similarly, it is undeniable fact that proper professional counselling will go a long way in preparing adolescents for the tasks of building themselves and the nation. This textbook, therefore, aimed at adding to existing knowledge on current information and researches on adolescents and counselling practices in Nigeria. The text is divided into two sections providing current theoretical and empirical information on adolescent’s addiction, challenges, disabilities, mental health, religiosity, self-esteem, sexual behavior, social and interpersonal relationships, and counselling intervention. The text, is therefore, an indispensable companion for professionals in the fields of counseling/psychology, mental health, social work as well as students and instructors in post primary and tertiary institutions.