Parental aggressive behaviour and the preference of juvenile delinquency among students in Thika West Sub- County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the reason for the prevalence of juvenile delinquency as well as to establish the influence of parental aggressive behavior on juvenile delinquency. This study is based on attachment theory using ex post facto as research design. Queen of the
Rosary Mixed Secondary School and Kimuchu Secondary with target population of 850 were the chosen locations of the study. Simple random sampling was used to pick the proportionate sample from each cluster. From each cluster 10% of the population was selected as sample size which is 85 students. For purposes of this study, a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The study reveals a high prevalence of delinquent behavior among students, including property damage, theft, and violence. Mean scores and standard deviations indicate strong agreement among respondents about their involvement in such activities. Specific actions, such as damaging school and public property, stealing motor vehicles, and holding stolen goods, were reported consistently. Behaviors like running away from home,
carrying hidden weapons, and attacking others showed significant agreement. Findings on parental aggressive behavior indicate frequent engagement in actions like threatening physical harm and yelling at children, with mean scores ranging from 2.1234 to 2.7890. The results
highlight the critical need for targeted interventions to address both student delinquency and parental aggression, aiming to foster a safer and more supportive environment for children. Recommendations include behavioral intervention programs, parental education workshops,
school-community partnerships, robust monitoring systems, and promoting positive extracurricular activities.