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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrhs.net.v14.i5.3
Sangeeta
Dr. Krishan Kumar
Associate Professor
ABSTRACT
Purpose: As institutions in higher education struggle with the growing mental health crisis, the need for effective emotional scaffolding has never been greater. However, the distribution of resources to support students often is based on traditional assumptions rather than empirical evidence about which intervention modalities actually lead to Emotional Intelligence (EI). This research paper breaks open the “black box” of counselling efficacy by comparing, in a rigorous manner, five different intervention strategies: Peer Support Groups, Skill-Based Workshops, One- on-One Clinical Counselling, Digital/Online Modules, and General Group Sessions.
Design/methodology/approach: Based on the Social Learning Theory of Bandura and the “Trait- Ability” model of EI, the study adopted a quantitative research approach of a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from a stratified sample of N=315 undergraduate students in Haryana, India. The core analysis was on the sub-sample of N=240 intervention participants. A One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to test the hypothesis that different intervention strategies produce statistically different EI outcomes.
Findings: The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was a very significant difference between the groups (F=21.34, p<0.001). Post-hoc analysis determined a clear “Hierarchy of Effectiveness.” Peer Support Groups proved to be the better modality with a mean of 89.21, which was significantly better than traditional One-on-One Counselling (x̅=76.68) and Skill Based Workshops (x̅=78.50). Conversely, Digital Modules (x̅ = 72.61) and General Group Sessions (x̅ = 71.16) had the lowest efficacy, which suggests a “Human Element Gap.” Originality/value: This study is definitive empirical evidence against the “clinical-centric” and “digital-first” trends in student wellness. It validates the “Democratization of Care” model, suggesting horizontal, peer mediated social learning is more effective for developmental emotional growth in emerging adults than vertical, expert led instruction.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Peer Support, Social Learning Theory, Counselling Efficacy, Higher Education, Student Mental Health, Intervention Strategies.
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