The findings of this study indicate that peer group counselling has a
significant positive effect on the self concept of adolescents. The
participants in peer counselling scored significantly higher than those in
the control group in self- concept at post test. These findings lend
credence to the assertion made by Hoffman and Warner (1976) and
Divers – Starnes (1991), among others, that paraprofessionals, particularly
peers can be as effective as professionals in counselling when given the
required training. The findings also corroborate those of Jeffery and
Reynolds (1994), Lane (1997), and Tobias & Myrick (1999), who reported
positive effects of peer group counselling on the participants. Children
have certain advantages over adults in helping their peers. They
understand their problems better because they are cognitively closer and
so the peer counsellor can present issues in terms the group members will
understand better. Cohen (1989) had noted that similarity between model
and learner increases the influence of modelling. In the present study, the
adolescents had the opportunity of being models to their peers as they
facilitated the group counselling sessions and this enhanced the self
concept of the participants significantly.