Published Article

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess parent-child attachment and child neglect level as correlates of students’ aggressive behaviour in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North–West Senatorial District. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District. The target population for the study comprises all 19,162 senior secondary school II students in all 87 public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District during the 2017–2018 academic year. The sample of the study was 1,894 senior secondary II students selected randomly in multi-stages using a coin toss. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled "Parent-Child Relationship and Student Aggressive Behavior Questionnaire (PRASABQ)." To determine the reliability of the instrument, parent-child relationship, and students’ aggressive behaviour questionnaire (PRASABQ), the researcher administered the instrument to 30 secondary school II (SS2) students drawn from the population who did not participate in the final study, and the reliability coefficient of .87 was obtained. The instrument was therefore regarded as reliable and good for the study since the coefficient was high. The r-value of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (PPMC) was used for answering the research questions by comparing the values with the scale of correlation, while the r-value was also used for testing the hypotheses by comparing it with the r-critical value. The entire hypotheses formulated were tested at .05 level of significance. It was discovered in the study that if the parent-child relationship is not secure, the child reacts badly to the parent’s absence, which later on will lead to future anxiety, which is a major aspect of aggressive behaviour. Finally, it was concluded in the study that there is a significant relationship between parent-child attachment, child neglect, and students’ aggressive behaviour in secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. One of the recommendations made was that government agencies, non-governmental organisations, churches, and schools should organize seminars and workshops to encourage parents to form a secure attachment with their children from childhood and treat them with love and care by providing the basic needs of life such as food, shelter, medical care, education, and supervision. 

KEYWORDS: Parent-Child Attachment, Child Neglect Level, Students’ Aggressive Behaviour, Public Secondary Schools, and Akwa Ibom North–West Senatorial District.