INFLUENCE OF FAMILY EXPERIENCES ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR AMONG PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the influence of family experiences on deviant behaviour among public senior secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. To guide this study, four research questions were raised and answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics; and four corresponding null hypothesis were also formulated and tested using linear regression. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance in order to determine the influence of family experiences on deviant behaviour among public senior secondary school students (SS2) in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Correlational survey research design was used to carry out this study. The population of the study consisted of 3641 SS2 students. 5% of the total population was used giving a sample size of 182 students who were randomly selected. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled "Family Experience and its Influence on Deviant Behaviour" (FEIDB). The instrument was validated and trial tested using Cronbach Alpha Statistics which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.77. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, percentage count and linear regression. The major findings of the study showed that family structure had no significant influence on deviant behaviour and as such, is not a significant predictor. Parenting styles had 2% influence on deviant behaviour but did not predict deviant behaviour. Domestic violence and socio-economic background had 3% and 2% influence respectively on deviant behaviour and they both predicted deviant behaviour. Based on these findings, it was, therefore, recommended that school authorities and the Government should be aware that students from single-parent homes, blended homes, and so on, may have challenges, and as such, finance, resources and support should be provided for them to help them make ends meet. Parents should be more sensitive to the behavioural needs of their children and always be ready to assist them; the Government should ensure that parents are provided with resources for positive parenting strategies and parents should be encouraged to participate in parenting programmes to help in their parenting task. Parents should try as much as possible to avoid engaging in domestic violence and shun every form of violence at home. Government authorities should provide incentives and support for students from lower-income families, such as free or reduced fees, transportation assistance and so on and also provide equal access to educational resources.