Socio-Cultural Variables and Externalizing Behaviour of Secondary School Students in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated how socio-cultural variables influence externalizing behaviour in secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial District. Two specific purposes and two null hypotheses were stated to guide the study. The Ex-post facto research design was used in carrying out the study, which had a population of 19,227 senior secondary II students in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. The sample of the study was 755 Senior Secondary II students selected using stratified random sampling technique. A researcher-developed questionnaire titled Socio-Cultural Variables and Externalizing Behaviour of Secondary School Students Questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability was established using Cronbach’s Alpha with a coefficient of .882. A total of 755 copies of questionnaires were sent out and 753 copies were correctly filled and returned. Data were analyzed using independent t-test. All the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results of the study revealed that parent-child interaction, religious orientation and peer group association significantly influence students’ externalizing behaviour. It was concluded that socio-cultural variables are strong predictors of externalizing behaviour among secondary school students. The study recommended among others that, non-governmental organizations, churches and schools should make use of social media platforms for sensitization and reorientation for parents to encourage them to be good role models to their children, teach them effective communication, building healthy relationships with others and ways to navigate different social situations.