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Abstract:
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Behaviour problems of Kenyan secondary school students have continued to be a great
concern. The study investigated age and gender differences in involvement in non-illegal and minorillegal delinquent behaviours among adolescent students in secondary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. The
participants comprised 219 females and 191 male students selected by use of stratified and simple random
sampling methods. Data was collected using a researcher designed questionnaire. The independent
variables were age and gender while the dependent variables were adolescents’ non- illegal
(noncompliance and truancy) and minor-illegal (violence, substance abuse and stealing) delinquent
behaviours. A correlational survey design was employed and relationships were examined using
correlation coefficient statistics. The findings revealed that adolescents’ gender differences in involving
in non-illegal delinquent behaviours was χ2 (2df, N=410) =3.709, p = .157 > .05. On the other hand, the
adolescents’ gender difference in involvement in minor-illegal delinquent behaviours was χ2 (2df,
N=410) = (16.021) p = .000, < .05. There were significant age difference in adolescents’ involvement in
non-illegal, t =88.29 (df = 409), p = 000 < .05; and minor non-illegal delinquent behaviours, t = 91.623 df
= 409, p = 000 < .05. The study recommended for the use of a multi-faceted approach to adolescents’
behaviour management in schools |