Aggressive Behavior and Values Issues among Senior High School Students: Implications for Strengthening Guidance and Counseling Services

This study examined the relationship between aggressive behaviors and values-related issues among senior high school students in the Philippines. It addressed the need to understand how learners’ values formation relates to aggressive behaviors and how the findings may guide school-based guidance and counseling programs. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, the study described the respondents’ profile in terms of age, sex, grade level, track or strand, family structure, and socio-economic status. It also assessed aggressive behaviors in four dimensions: physical, verbal, relational, and cyber aggression. The study examined values-related issues in six areas: respect for authority, responsibility and accountability, empathy and concern for others, honesty and integrity, discipline and self-control, and peer influence and group conformity. Data were gathered through a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and Pearson product–moment correlation. Findings showed that aggressive behaviors were generally minimal, with all four dimensions interpreted as “Never,” although some students reported occasional aggressive acts. In contrast, positive values were strongly manifested, particularly respect for authority, responsibility and accountability, empathy and concern for others, and honesty and integrity. Results also revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between aggressive behaviors and values-related issues (r=-0.33, p<.001), indicating that stronger values formation is associated with lower aggression among learners. The study concludes that schools should strengthen values formation, socio-emotional learning, and guidance and counseling services to help prevent aggressive behaviors among Senior High School students.

aggressive behavior, guidance and counseling, senior high school students, values formation

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