International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Effects of Maladaptive Behaviour among in-School Adolescents Learning Biology in Gombi Educational Zone, Adamawa State

Dr Dorcas Oluremi FAREO
Department of Educational Foundations, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria

Abstract: – This study investigated the effects of maladaptive behaviour among in-school adolescents on learning Biology as perceived by secondary school teachers in Gombi Education Zone Adamawa state. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design method. The target population for this study consisted of all secondary school teachers in the zone. Purposive sampling technique was used to select three hundred respondents from two Local Government Areas. The questionnaire titled “Effects of Maladaptive Behaviour Questionnaire” was used to collect data. The validity of the instrument was carried out by an expert in Guidance and Counselling. The reliability of the instrument titled “Effects of Maladaptive Behaviour Questionnaire “was carried out using test re-test method and Kudder-Richardson formulae was used to determine the internal consistency. Reliability estimate of the test showed a reliability index of 0.86. Frequency counts, simple percentages and t-test were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that maladaptive behaviour is caused by poor parental upbringing. Issues such as high failure of students in external examinations, disruption of teaching and learning, low cognitive ability, school dropout and student poor performance in class are the effects of maladaptive behaviour among in-school adolescents. The findings of the study also showed that there was no significant difference between male and female teachers’ perception on the causes of maladaptive behaviour among in-school adolescents. The major strategy employed by teachers for curbing behavioural problem is the reinforcement technique. In conclusion, in-school adolescents’ maladaptive behaviour is on the rise and has serious effects on students’ learning and their general academic performance. To this end, teachers, counsellors, school heads in collaboration with the government should continue to provide right information to in-school adolescents about the negative effects of maladaptive behaviour.

Keywords: Maladaptive behaviour, sexual abuse, drug abuse, vandalism and threats.