Family Structure and Truancy Behaviour of Secondary School Adolescents in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 47 20
Keywords:
Family structure, parenting styles, truancy behaviour, adolescents, secondary schoolAbstract
This study examined family structure and truancy behaviour among secondary school adolescents in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with 400 senior secondary school students sampled from a population of 5,862 students using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled "Family Structure and Truancy Behaviour Questionnaire (FSTBQ)," which was validated and tested for reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81). Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that parenting styles significantly influence truancy behaviour, with authoritative parenting associated with lower truancy while authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful styles correlate with higher truancy. Parental involvement showed a significant negative correlation with truancy, indicating that higher parental involvement is associated with reduced truancy. Socioeconomic status also significantly influenced truancy, with students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds exhibiting higher truancy tendencies. The study concluded that family structure including parenting style, parental involvement, and socioeconomic status are significant predictors of truancy behaviour. It was recommended among many others that parent education workshops on effective parenting styles, and integration of social workers into school systems should be established.Downloads
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A Publication of Primus Academics Research Consult (PARC) ISSN: 3141-3110, EISSN: 3141-6578
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