CAUSES AND INFLUENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON STUDENTS' BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study investigated the causes and influence of domestic violence on the students' behavioural patterns in senior secondary school in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State. The study was guided with two objectives, two research questions and one null hypothesis. Asurvey was used as the research methodology. 2,870 pupils made up the study's total population, and 244 of them were chosen at random from seven nearby schools. The instrument used to collect the data was a selfstructured questionnaire entitled: Causes and Influence of Domestic Violence Questionnaire (CIDVQ). The demographic data were analyzed using simple percentage while answers research questions were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation. The hypothesis was tested using t-test. This hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that, the causes of domestic violence are; intimidation, aggression, pride, disrespect and frustration. It was also revealed that; domestic violence influence students' behavioural patterns negatively. Results from the tested hypotheses revealed that, domestic violence has negative effect on the behavioural patterns of both male and female students. Therefore, it was recommended that, stake-holders like counsellors, social organization and religious bodies should use every available opportunity to educate the populate in general and family in particular to avoid violence of any form due to its effects on the students' negative behavioural patterns.