THE PERCEIVED CAUSES OF BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN IN HOMES

 The study investigated the perceived causes of behaviour problems of children in homes. It was designed to find out views on certain aspects of the home environment considered to be responsible for problem behaviour in children. The sample was made up of 120 subjects randomly selected from final year students of four secondary schools in Gboko Local Government nrea of Benue State of Nigeria. The students were aged 15 – 18 years and comprised equal number of boys and girls. The major instrument for collecting data for the study was the questionnaire employing a five—point rating scale. It was based on finding out the views of the subjects regarding the selected aspects of the home environment as causes of behaviour problems in children. Points on the Likert scale indicate how strongly the SAobjects agreed with the various aspects as causes of behaviour problems. The data collected were tabulated under various sections.

 The total and mean scores for the subjects under each section were calculated and classified according to four sets of groups based on sociopersonal factors of the subjects. These mean scores form the basis of comparison of the groups – boys with girls, high income with low income subjects, those of high educated viii with those of low educated parents, and subjects from large families with those from small families. In order to compare bhe views of the various groups, the standard deviation of each group was calculated and the Z test was conducted. This procedure was used in analyzing the views of the subjects on the various causes of behaviour problems. The information obtained from the analysis of data is contained in the following summary;

1. The topic of behaviour problems has been found to be a familiar one. Behaviour problems are generally considered as resulting from environmental rather than inborn factors. Views on the various causes studied differ among the groups of subjects. Both boys and girls held similar” views regarding faulty parents child relationships, sibling rivalry, and economic constraints as causes of behaviour problems of children. Differences were however observed in views of girls and boys on parental disliarmony. There were differences in views of subjects from high income and low income families on all aspects investigated. The study also revealed differences in views of subjects with high and low educated parents on all the causes of behaviour problems studied. There were, finally, differences in views of subjects from large and small families on all the causes of behaviour problems of children studied.

2. The findings have important implications for the prevention of behaviour problems of children in particular and the success of the current “War Against Indiscipline (WAI) in general. The researcher viewed that many acts of problem behaviour and indiscipline are rooted in the homes. As such solutions for any of such acts must be directed firstly to the homes. Recommendations were given which if implemented would to some extent ensure effective prevention of behaviour problems in children. Suggestions were also given for further research in the area.