PREVALENCE OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CENTRAL KENYA

Abstract

Secondary students have been known to exhibit aggressive tendencies and antisocial behavior and both at home and education-related problems which have been held accountable. The aim of this research was to determine how common antisocial behavior was among secondary school students in Central Kenya. The study incorporated elements of the social learning and control theories. The study focused on students from secondary schools and employed a descriptive survey research design as its method of study. The study's target population consisted of 70 secondary schools located in Central Kenya. An interview with key informants guide was employed to collect qualitative data, while questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from a representative group of 200 participants from 15 secondary schools. The SPSS version 20 program was used to evaluate the study's quantitative data, and the qualitative information gathered from open-ended surveys was grouped into various thematic groups and presented narratively with the quantitative information. The study revealed that school year, school the environment, peer pressure and inappropriate teacher guidance are some of the school-based factors that influence anti-social conduct. The roles of the family and the school in behavior regulation are distinct. From the study recommended that overall development and parents should manage the home environment by setting rules, offering guidance and counseling and monitoring behavioral changes in their children. School administrators should also encourage parents and guardians to monitor their children's behavior and offer guidance and counseling. The management of the school should encourage parents and guardians to monitor their children's behavior and offer support and direction.

Keywords: Aggressive inclinations, antisocial behavior, school-based issues, parental discipline.

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