“DO IT” CREATIVITY AND EMOTIONAL MASTERY TECHNIQUES IN FOSTERING CREATIVE IDEAS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Over the past centuries, persons with special needs were ostracized because society considered them as unproductive and liabilities. Therefore, the study attempted to employ “DO IT” creativity and emotional mastery strategies in fostering creative ideas in adolescents with special needs in Oyo State, Nigeria using a 3 x 3 factorial matrix. Ninety participants were randomly selected within the age range of 13-21 years with a mean age of 18.5 years. The Adolescent Personal Data Inventory (? = 0.80) was used to classify the participants into different self-concept categories. Creativity Motivation Scale (? =0.77) and Emotional Intelligence Test (? =0.75) were used as criterion measures. The pre-test scores served as covariates. Analysis of Covariance, t-test and Scheffe post hoc data analyses were used at 0.05 probability level to test the hypothesis. Findings showed that treated participants significantly improved more than controlled participants on creative ideative originality and emotional mastery assessment scores (F(2,81) = 08.28, P<05), whereas participants in “DO IT” category performed better than those in the Emotional Mastery. It was therefore submitted that “DO IT” creativity and emotional mastery strategies should be encouraged in fostering creative ideas, emotional management, self-esteem, social relationships and independent living.