Training the Body, Shaping the Citizen: An Evaluation of Health, Psychology and Leadership Outcomes from a Residential Programme
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61166/clean.v3i2.34Keywords:
Citizenship training, leadership development, health behaviour, psychological attributes, university studentsAbstract
University co-curricular programmes have been instrumental in encouraging the development of students especially in health behavior, psychological well-being and leadership skills. However, empirical research studies have not extensively covered the effects of short-term residential programmes aimed at nurturing citizenship and leadership skills among university students in Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a week-long residential training programme in citizenship and leadership on health behaviors, psychological factors and leadership skills among students. An exploratory sequential mixed method approach consisting of quasi experimental pretest/posttest design and interpretive phenomenology was used among students of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Lagos State University of Education, Oto/Ijanikin. Two hundred and fifty-three students were assessed. Significant improvements were observed among the students’ health behaviors, t(252) = -8.47, p<0.05; psychological factors, t(252) = -10.26, p<0.05; and leadership achievements, t(252) = -11.08, p<0.05. Scores were generally better in posttests than in pre-tests for all variables studied. Theme analysis shows enhanced self-control, leadership efficacy, health awareness, team work, and psychological strength to be the primary impacts of the program. This research proves that short-term programs of citizenship and leadership training at universities can have positive impact on the behavioral, psychological and leadership capabilities of students
References
Adewolu Ogwo, A. (2024). Higher Education, skills development and students' preparedness for employability: a case study of the University of Lagos, Nigeria (towards a sustained practice approach with the triple helix model of innovation) (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London)).
Amusa, S., & Adesoji, A. (2023). Historical Scholarship and Training at Ife: Contemporary Progress, Historical Legacies, and Positive Future, 1962–2022. History in Africa, 50, 327-351.
Ategwu, P. O., Emmanuel, D. S., & Isong, B. E. (2025). Management of Co-Curricular Activities as Predictor of Students’ Academic Achievement in Secondary Schools In Cross River State, Nigeria. African Journal of Educational Management, 26(1), 300-315.
Bains, K. K., & Turnbull, T. (2019). Improving health outcomes and serving wider society: The potential role of understanding and cultivating prosocial purpose within health psychology research and practice to address climate change and social isolation and loneliness. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1787.
Bandura, A. (2012). On the functional properties of perceived self-efficacy revisited. Journal of Management, 38(1), 9–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311410606
Biresselioglu, M. E., & Demir, M. H. (2024). From concept to impact: strategic guidelines for environmental behavior change interventions. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1392461.
Boyd, N. L. (2021). Feasibility of a mindfulness-based intervention for stress reduction and resilience for medical students at a large teaching hospital and medical campus in the western cape: a randomised controlled, comparative trial with supportive counselling (Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University).
Chan, H.-K., Kwong, H. Y. C., Lai, F.-Y. Y., & Shu, G. L. F. (2021). Effects of experiential learning programmes on adolescent prosocial behaviour, empathy, and subjective well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology.
Cole, M. B. (2025). Wellness, recovery, and trauma-informed care. In Group Dynamics in Occupational Therapy (pp. 435-457). Routledge.
Day, D. V., Fleenor, J. W., Atwater, L. E., Sturm, R. E., & McKee, R. A. (2014). Advances in leader and leadership development: A review of 25 years of research and theory. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 63–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2013.11.004
Heng, Y., & Jin, L. K. (2025). Experiential learning and creative self-efficacy in higher education: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research.
Ho, B. Q. (2024). Effects of learning process and self-efficacy in real-world education for sustainable development. Sustainability.
Jamiu, F. Y. (2021). Effect of Conflict Management Strategies on Employees’ Performance in Selected Tertiary Institutions in Kwara State (Master's thesis, Kwara State University (Nigeria)).
Kolb, D. A. (2015). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
Kwasnicka, D., Dombrowski, S. U., White, M., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2016). Theoretical explanations for maintenance of behaviour change: A systematic review. Health Psychology Review, 10(3), 277–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2016.1151372
Liu, R., Menhas, R., & Saqib, Z. A. (2024). Does physical activity influence health behavior, mental health, and psychological resilience under the moderating role of quality of life?. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1349880.
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.
Olaoye, O. A., Adejumobi, A. S., Ogundele, T. F., & Akande, M. A. (2024). Effect of a context-specific health education intervention on knowledge of health risk behaviors among adolescents in Nigerian public and private secondary schools: a comparative study. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 36(4), 343-349.
Olayinka, S. L., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Citizenship education as a vehicle for nation building: perspective of Nigeria Citizens. LingLit Journal Scientific Journal for Linguistics and Literature, 5(3), 102-114.
Orazani, S. N., Reynolds, K. J., & Osborne, H. (2023). What works and why in interventions to strengthen social cohesion: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 53(10), 938-995.
Oyelade, O. O., & Oladipo, M. A. (2022). Academic stress and psychological adjustment among undergraduate students in Nigeria. Journal of Counselling and Educational Psychology, 8(2), 61–74.
Plotnikoff, R. C., Costigan, S. A., Williams, R. L., Hutchesson, M. J., Kennedy, S. G., Robards, S. L., Allen, J., Collins, C. E., & Callister, R. (2015). Effectiveness of interventions targeting physical activity, nutrition and healthy weight for university and college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(45). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0203-7
Rhodes, R. E., & Sui, W. (2021). Physical activity maintenance: a critical narrative review and directions for future research. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 725671.
Sarker, Z. W., Choi, H., & Oh, H. J. (2025). Transforming Hospitality into “Hospital” ity: The Effect of Grit on the Use of Wellness-Friendly Hospitality Services. Tourism and Hospitality, 7(1), 8.
Seemiller, C. (2018). Student leadership competencies: A guidebook for designing intentional leadership learning and development. Jossey-Bass.
Sperling, E. L. (2025). An exploration of somatic symptoms in health profession students (Doctoral dissertation, University of Missouri--Columbia).
Sperling, E. L., Manion, B., Gresner, E., LaBarre, A., Krych, P., & Mallender, Z. C. (2025). The effect of resilience training on resilience and stress in medical students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medical Education.
Stephen, J. A. (2025). Health Behaviour and Willingness to Take Part in Health Promotion Activities Among School-Aged Students in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Master's thesis, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lithuania)).
Van der Schaft, A. H., Solinger, O. N., Van Olffen, W., Ruotsalainen, R., Lub, X. D., & Van der Heijden, B. I. (2026). The role taking dynamics of change recipients: A narrative analysis. Group & Organization Management, 51(2), 1026-1068.
Volkaert, B., Wante, L., Van Beveren, M. L., Vervoort, L., & Braet, C. (2020). Training adaptive emotion regulation skills in early adolescents: The effects of distraction, acceptance, cognitive reappraisal, and problem solving. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 44(3), 678-696.
Waller, L., Reitz, M., Poole, E., Riddell, P. M., & Muir, A. (2017). Experiential learning as preparation for leadership: An exploration of the cognitive and physiological processes. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 38(4), 513-529.
Xu, J., & Xu, Y. (2025). The impact of self-efficacy on psychological resilience in EFL learners: a serial mediation model. BMC psychology, 13(1), 858.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Habeeb Ladi Owolabi, Abimbola Olawatosin Oyekunle, Adesegun Ola Ayanlaja, Adekunle Adelaja Abdul
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Politeknik Kesehatan KMC Kuningan