Relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of their parents’ behaviours and youths’ non-illegal and minor- illegal delinquency in Nairobi secondary schools, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental behaviours and their involvement in nonillegal and minor-illegal delinquency in selected secondary schools, in Nairobi County of Kenya. The study was informed by Parenting models theory, Social Control Theory and Ego identity versus Role confusion theory. A co relational survey design was employed and the participants comprised 219 females and 191 male students selected by use of stratified and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and a behaviour checklist. Data was analyzed using parametric correlation statistics. The study revealed that, parental supportiveness was not related to adolescents’ non-illegal and minor-illegal delinquent behaviours. That is, the adolescents who perceived excessive parental monitoring comprised the highest percentage of those who were involved in occasional non-illegal (77.6%) and occasional minor-illegal (51.7%) delinquent behaviours. The highest percentage of the persistent non-illegal (17.5%) and persistent minor-illegal (7.7%) delinquent behaviours were those who perceived excessive parental monitoring. The lowest percentage of the adolescents who were involved in occasional non-illegal (46.2%) and persistent non-illegal (7.7%) behaviours were those who perceived low parental monitoring. The results also revealed a significant positive relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parental monitoring and non-illegal, and substance abuse delinquent behaviours. The study recommended psychosocial training for parents to enhance effective parenting.