Need Assessment for Qualities of a Peer Supporter

A peer supporter at the university level plays a crucial role in providing assistance, guidance, and support to fellow students. They create a positive and inclusive environment and help students navigate their academic and personal challenges. The present study was conducted in Punjab, India to assess the need for qualities of a peer supporter in the selected universities, i.e., Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (GNDU), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (PAU) and Punjabi University, Patiala (PUP). The sample consisted of 480 students from the science stream studying in the 1st and 2nd years of the undergraduate program. The sample consisted of an equal number of first-year students (n=80) and second-year students (n=80) from each university. Random sampling was done to draw samples from three purposively selected universities. The study's objective was to assess the need for qualities of a peer supporter in the selected universities. A self-structured questionnaire was administered to collect information regarding the aspects related to the need for qualities of a peer supporter in the selected universities. Data were analyzed using percent distribution, t-test, and analysis of variance. The results of the study illustrated that the majority of the students from selected universities had significantly wanted their peer supporters to be perfect having all the qualities, i.e., leadership quality, and emotional and social maturity.