Effect of Rational Emotive Theraphy in the Reduction of Bullying Behaviour of Youth

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, there have been a growing recognition of the widespread prevalence and serious harm of bullying in schools. Governments, teachers, educators and parents alike are not comfortable, particularly as youth behaviours begin to disrupt their families, social interactions and performance in schools. Consequently, it became necessary to embark on investigating the effect of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) in the reduction of bullying behavioural tendencies among the youngsters in Ogun State. This study investigated the Interactive effects of gender and class differences on bullying behavioural tendencies among the population. Using a multi-stage approach, a total of sixty (60) secondary school students (30 males and 30 females; 30 JSS and 30 SSS) identified to have exhibited high bullying behavioural tendencies were randomly drawn from two public co-educational schools from Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State after administering a standardised assessment inventory [The Adolescent Peer Relation Instrument (APRI)]. A 2x2 pre -test, post- test control group design was used. Group one was exposed to REBT while the control received a “placebo” treatment of study habit. Three research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 significant levels. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Also, percentages, Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) for post-hoc test were employed for the study. Results showed significant differences between the pre and posttest mean scores of the participants in the treatment group and those in the control [F (2, 60) = 9.345; p < 0.05], Significant differences were also found in the bullying behavioural tendencies of participants based on (i) gender [F (2, 30) = 15.956; p< 0.05].and (ii) in class [F (2, 30) =13.109; p < 0.05], Based on the findings, it was recommended that all caregivers must continuously update their skills on the use of psychotherapy so as to help youngsters live meaningful and fulfilled lives.

Keywords: Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, Bullying, Adolescents, Reduction, effect

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 297-303