Parenting Practice and Problem Behavior as Predictors of Academic Disengagement among Form Two Students in Mombasa County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Atolla, Maureen Anzemo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-19T06:41:41Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-19T06:41:41Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-11 | |
| dc.description | A Research Proposal Submitted to the School of Education and Lifelong Learning in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) of Kenyatta University, November 2025. Supervisor 1. Lucy Mawang | |
| dc.description.abstract | Disruptive behaviors such as arson attacks and violence are a common phenomenon in secondary schools. Problem behavior is a matter of concern among secondary school students and creates a vicious cycle as adolescents are likely to get involved in academic disengagement and ultimately drop out of school. Students losing interest in the academic domain is of great concern in Mombasa County, this is inferred from diverse indicators of absenteeism, delinquency and dropout. Several studies have been conducted in different counties in Kenya on factors affecting problem behavior and academic disengagement, however despite the many studies cases of academic disengagement are on the rise. In Mombasa County, parenting practices and problem behavior have received little attention as predictors of academic disengagement. The specific objectives of the study were; to examine the extent to which problem behavior mediates relationship between parenting practice and academic disengagement among form two students. The study was anchored on triadic theory, social learning theory and problem behavior theory. Correlational design and quantitative methodology were used to investigate the objectives. The target population was all the 3286 students in Mvita Sub-County at year two of study in secondary schools. Purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques will be utilized to select the sample size. The sample size of the study was 640 students (320 girls and 320 boys). Pilot study included 80 students from two different schools (boys’ and girls’ schools). Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to determine the interrelationships between parenting practices, problem behavior and academic disengagement. Parenting practice and academic disengagement have a negative and significant relationship, r (618) =-.266 (p=0.015<0.05). Problem behaviour and academic disengagement have a positive and significant relationship, r (618) = .483 (p=.000<0.05). The beta coefficient for parenting practice was -.022 and p=.054 while that of problem behaviour was .486(p=.000), problem behavior thus mediates the relationship between parenting practice and academic disengagement. Parenting practices characterized by affection, support, effective communication, behavioral control, encouragement of autonomy was negatively associated with problem behavior while psychological control and coercive parenting practices were positively associated with problem behavior. Anxiety, anger, disruptive behaviors and aggression amongst other problem behaviors contribute to learner’s conflicts with peers and teachers, disliking of the school, absenteeism, non-participation to co-curricular activities, rule breaking, and violence and bullying. Externalizing problem behaviors are related to delinquency, truancy, aggression and violence in schools while internalizing problem behaviors are associated with skipping of classes, emotional disengagement. The findings inform parents about effective parenting strategies to promote positive behavior and academic engagement in their children. The study provides insights in developing interventions targeting student who exhibit problem behavior or academic disengagement. The study also provides insights to education stakeholders in adopting policies and strategies that encourage greater parent involvement in education activities. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32503 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Parenting Practice and Problem Behavior as Predictors of Academic Disengagement among Form Two Students in Mombasa County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |