Childhood Trauma, Resilience And Locus Of Control As Predictors Of Deviant Behaviours Among Secondary School Students

Project and Seminar Material for Psychology

Abstract

The study examines childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviance behavior among secondary school student sung Ogbomosho South in Oy State as case Study. The study employed survey research design and purposive sampling method. Using the purposive sampling, the researcher conveniently selected one hundred and twenty respondents who are principal, counsellor, head teachers and class teachers in ten(10) selected secondary school in Ogbomosho L.G.A which form the population for the study. Data was analyse using frequency and tables which provided answers to the research questions. Hypothesis was tested using Pearson correlation statistical tool (SPSS). findings from the study reveals that child abuse, hostility towards adolescent, emotional neglect can be traumatic to children and lead them into deviance behaviour. The study conclude that child trauma, resilience(a child coping strategy in traumatic situation), locus control(the ability to take decision weather to react negatively or positively) are all predictors of deviant behavior among students in secondary school. the study therefore recommends that parents, school counselor have a lot to do by caution adolescents on the implication and consequence of engaging in delinquency no matte what they may use as excuse as this is detrimental to both their future and the society.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The exhibition of deviant behavior by secondary school students such as stealing, lying, fighting, prostitution, smoking etc. are not traits learnt in the classroom through formal learning but as result of misdirection and the inability to control the event of early childhood. Children exposed to high risk condition such as exposure to maternal depression or community violence, physical abuse or death of a parent. Substance abuse in a parent, Separation from a parent or caregiver, Sexual abuse, Stress caused by poverty, Sudden and/or serious medical condition, Violence (at home, at school, or in the surrounding community). Accidents. Bullying/cyber etc. manifest greater maladjustment than those who do not; thereby leading to deviant behavior. It has been observed that quite number of students in secondary schools exercise deviant behavior which is the violation of the norms and regulations of the society. Deviant behavior is defined as deviation from laid down rules and regulations of the community or principle of a social behavior such as engaging in crime, drunkenness, indiscipline in school, home prostitution, cultism, gambling etc. However, some children show resilience than others who have gone through trauma in earlier in life. Such children are able to better convert the ill conditions of the past into a positive better future. The school, parents, and the government have significant role to play in rebuilding the life of this victims. The study seeks to proffer an appraisal of childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviours among secondary school students.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Trauma which arises as a result of events in the early years of a child exact significant effect on the child’s behavior. Children exposed to high risk condition such as Exposure to maternal depression or community violence, physical abuse or death of a parent. Substance abuse in a parent, Separation from a parent or caregiver, Sexual abuse, Stress caused by poverty, Sudden and/or serious medical condition, Violence (at home, at school, or in the surrounding community). Accidents, Bullying/cyber bullying, domestic violence, parent with a mental illness, incarcerated. Emotional abuse or neglect, War/terrorism etc., manifest greater maladjustment than those who do not; Thereby leading to deviant behavior. Which is the violation of the norms and laws of the society such as crime, drunkenness, indiscipline in school, home prostitution, cultism, gambling etc.? However, some children show resilience than others who have gone through trauma earlier in life. Such children are able to better convert the ill conditions of the past into a positive better future. The school, parents, and the government have significant role to play in its rebuilding the life of this victims. The problem confronting the study is investigating childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main study objective is to investigate childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students;

While, the specific objectives of the study include;

To appraise the concept of childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control.
To determine the deviant behaviors among secondary school children.
To investigate the relationship between childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students.

1.4 Research Questions

What is childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control?
What is the deviant behaviors among secondary school children?
What is the relationship between childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviours among secondary school students.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study seeks to provide an evaluative appraisal of the relationship between childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students. The study shall be of immense value for the counseling of secondary school students.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal of childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

The study was confronted with logistic and geographical constraint.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Resilience Defined

Resilience is the ability to overcome adverse condition of life and return to a positive state of life. It is a process of positive adaptation in the face of despite significant adversity or trauma.

Adversity Defined

Adversity is the negative condition of live which may turn out to affect someones behavior such as the exposure to community violence, poverty, war etc.

Locus Of Control Defined

Locus of control is the extent to which an individual can have control over the outcome of traumatic events in their lives, as opposed to external forces beyond their control.

Positive Adaptation Defined.

Positive adaptation refers to a better adjustment in the face of trauma.

Chapter Five

Summary Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

Childhood abuse, emotional neglect, abandonment t are all actions or inaction of the adults towards the child, taken into consideration within the concept of trauma, are viewed as inappropriate and harmful by social rules and experts due to causing damage to various stages of child’s development and endangering health and safety and on the adverse can lure a child into deviant behaviour.

Children who exposed to high risk condition such as exposure to maternal depression or community violence, physical abuse or death of a parent begins to view the world as a hostile place, thus this affects their behavior.
However a childs’ potentials, strengths, internal resources, emotional self-efficacy and positive characteristics during this traumatic experiences shapes how he/she chooses to cope with the situation.

Children with high level of resilience control themselves in the midst of the pressure to engage in crime. Instead of reacting negatively by deviance due to the emotional and mental stressors presented through trauma, they find a positive way to cope.

Therefore from the findings of the study, there is a significant relationship between child trauma, resilience locus of control and deviant behaviour among secondary school student hence the research concludes that child trauma, resilience locus of control are predictors of deviance among secondary school student

5.3 Recommendation

From the aforementioned conclusion, it is recommended that

Parents should step up their parenting style and caution their children on the disadvantages on engaging in deviant behaviour
Morse, the school counselors should cautioned student from acting delinquently as this may be of negative impacts to the destiny, society as well as making them crime victim.
Also, government parastatals should develop policies needed to regulate delinquent behavior act in the society.

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