Abstract

Fayose Goodluck Emejuke

This study investigated the relationship that existed between certain identified factors of violent behaviours among bereaved children and adolescents. The descriptive research design of the survey type was used for the study. The population of the study are all the children and adolescents in South West Nigeria. A research instrument titled “Violent Behaviour Questionnaire” (VBQ) was used for gathering data. The instrument’s validity was ensured by subjecting it to experts in the Departments of Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Tests and Measurement, Sociology and Human Kinetics. A reliability coefficient of 0.74 was obtained using Test-re-test Reliability and Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis. A sample of 584 was selected using simple and multistage sampling techniques. Copies of the instrument were personally administered by the research and trained research assistants. The result of the analysis revealed that the identified factors of violent behaviours, parents, residence, morality and teachers correlated significantly. It was recommended that the curriculum planners should incorporate bereavement counselling into the education curriculum to enable teachers, counsellors and students to learn and teach areas that will enhance identification of bereaved children and adolescents and to reduce the intensity and consequences of bereavement. The mass media and religious organisations and leaders should be able to counsel and educate the members of the society on areas that could alleviate the intensity of grief and bereavement.