Personality as a factor in deviant behaviour among secondary school students in Kaduna state

Abstract

This study examined personality as a factor in deviant behaviour among secondary school students in Kaduna State. The study was a cross sectional survey of 300 students who were drawn using simple random sampling techniques from six public schools in Kaduna state. By gender, 180 (60%) were male and 120 (40%) were females and their age ranged from 13-25 years. The Big Five Factor Markers from International Personality Item Pool-IPIP, and the Self- Report Deviant Scale were used to for data collection. Data was analysed using multiple regression to test the hypotheses. The results cl indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism significantly predicted deviant behaviour among government secondary school students in Kaduna state, while openness to experience and conscientiousness did not significantly predict deviant behaviour among government secondary school students in Kaduna State. The study recommended the consideration of personality factors in assessment and interventions to curtail deviance. The researchers also emphasise the need for establishment of psychological services centres and counselling units in government schools to provide psychological diagnoses, assessment and treatment of deviant students.