INFLUENCE OF FAMILY DYSFUNCTION ON THE SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF ADOLESCENT CHILDREN IN EKPOMA, EDO STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of family dysfunction on the social behavior of adolescent children in Ekpoma, Edo State. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study was made up of all dysfunctional families and adolescents in Ekpoma. A sample of 20 dysfunctional families, having fifty-two (52) adolescents was used for the study. Questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data. Data collected were analyzed using weighted mean and standard deviation. The result of the findings revealed that one of the causes of family dysfunction is controlling parents, that is authoritarian parenting. The findings also showed that family dysfunction influences the social behavior of adolescent children because the cumulative mean response of 3.8 is higher than the decision mean of 3.0. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended among other things that government at all levels; NGOs and religious bodies should establish functional counselling units/family therapy centres where families and adolescents can be helped to get out of dysfunction.