EFFECTIVENESS OF COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS TRAINING AS AN INTERVENTION FOR ENHANCING CONFLICT RESOLUTION STRATEGIES AMONG MEMBERS OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of Collaborative Problem-Solving (CPS) skills training as an intervention for enhancing conflict resolution strategies among members of the Lagos State University Students’ Union. A quasi experimental one group pre and post-test design was adopted, involving 35 participants selected through purposive and simple random sampling based on leadership involvement and conflict experience. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI; α = 0.81) was used to assess participants’ conflict resolution strategies and CPS skills before and after an 8-week training programme. Data was analysed using paired samples t-tests with SPSS (version 25) at a significance level of p <.05. Findings revealed a significant increase in the use of collaborative strategies and a corresponding decrease in avoidant and confrontational approaches. The study concluded that CPS training is an effective intervention for improving conflict resolution strategies among student leaders. It is recommended that university counselling units institutionalise CPS training for student union officials, while future studies should include multiple campuses to enhance generalisability.