Role of School Counsellors in Managing Adolescent Identity Crisis in Secondary Schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Adolescent identity formation is a normative yet turbulent developmental process that can, without appropriate support, escalate into psychological crisis with lasting implications for personal and academic functioning. This study examined the role of school counsellors in managing adolescent identity crisis in secondary schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with 50 school counsellors and 300 students participating across 15 secondary schools. The Eriksonian Identity Development Scale (adapted for Nigerian adolescents) and a Counsellor Role Assessment Questionnaire were the primary instruments. Data were analysed using mean scores, frequency distributions, and Pearson correlation. Findings indicated that over 45 percent of students exhibited signs of identity diffusion, characterised by confusion about personal values, goals, and social roles. Counsellors reported engaging in identity-related discussions with students primarily on an ad-hoc basis, without structured frameworks or assessment tools. A significant positive correlation was found between the depth of counsellor involvement and students' reported sense of identity coherence. The study concluded that counsellors in Uyo schools need better theoretical preparation for identity-focused interventions and more time allocated to individual counselling. Recommendations included curriculum integration of identity development topics within the guidance programme and professional development training in psychodynamic and existential counselling approaches. Keywords: adolescent identity crisis, school counsellors, Eriksonian development, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.