Influence of Family-Based Factors on Antisocial Behaviors among Secondary School Students

Abstract

Antisocial behaviour among teenagers and adolescents has become a growing concern globally and in northern Nigeria. School-going adolescents increasingly engage in behaviours that violate social norms and disrupt educational environments. Previous studies have extensively examined individual and dispositional predictors of antisocial behaviour, but limited attention has been given to family-based factors within conflict-affected contexts. This study examined the influence of parenting styles, parenting monitoring and supervision, and family cohesion on antisocial behaviour among secondary school students in Biu, Borno State. An ex-post factor cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and 150 students were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Standardised instruments were used to assess the study variables. Data were analysed using simple linear and multiple regression analyses at the .05 level of significance. Findings revealed that parenting styles and parenting monitoring did not significantly predict  ntisocial behaviour. However, family cohesion emerged as a significant predictor, such that higher levels of family cohesion were associated with lower levels of antisocial behaviour. The study concludes that emotional bonding and unity within the family play a more critical role than parenting style or monitoring in shaping adolescent behaviour in this context. Family-based interventions aimed at strengthening cohesion are therefore recommended.