Parenting Styles Experienced by Adolescents and Their Assertive Behaviour in Selected Secondary Schools In Likuyani District, Kenya.

ABSTRACT This study anchored into correlating parenting styles experienced by adolescents and their assertive behavior in selected secondary schools in Likuyani District, Kenya. Specifically, this empirical research determined the profile of the adolescent in terms of age, gender and the previous academic performance, the type of parenting styles experienced by the adolescents; the level of assertive behaviour of adolescents; significant differences in the parenting styles experienced by adolescents, and level of assertive behaviour between male and female adolescents and significant relationship between assertive behaviour of adolescents and parenting styles experienced by adolescents. The study employed ex post facto descriptive comparative and descriptive correlation design. A total of 240 adolescent students were involved in this study using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research instruments used included; facesheet, validated parenting styles checklist and Pearson assertion analysis. The findings of the study were as follows; 86.8% were from the age range of 16-19 years old; majority of the respondents were female (54.3%); majority (59.4%) were from form two in terms of previous academic performance; the type of parenting styles of the fathers was categorized as uninvolved; there was a significant difference in type of parenting styles and the level of assertive behaviour between the male and female adolescents ; the type of parenting styles experienced by adolescents and the level of assertive behavior were significantly correlated. The conclusions from this study were as follows; The hypothesis of no significant difference and significant relationship were rejected in this study; the theory of Baumrid was proven and a new information from this study was that in Likuyani District specifically in the five selected secondary schools, the parenting styles experienced by the adolescents under the study was the permissive style that brought them to be as assertive. The main recommendation on the school taking an active part in the resolution of unfavorable parenting style and less assertive behaviour of adolescents through parent seminar and indulging the adolescents in proactive socialization activities respectively.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PreN m ~na r~es

Declaration A ii

Declaration B iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract vi

Table of contents vii

List of tables x

Chapter page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 4

Hypothesis 5

Scope of the study 5

Geoçraphical scope 5

Content scope 5

Theoretical scope 5

Significance of the Study 6

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions From Authors/Experts 8

Theoretical Perspectives 12

Related Studies 14

Summary of identified gaps 16

Three METHODOLOGY

Research Design 17

Research Population 17

Sample Size 17

Sampling Procedures 17

Research Instruments 18

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 18

Data Gathering Procedures 18

Data Analysis

Ethical Considerations 19

Limitations of the Study 20

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS f~ND INTERPRETATION

OF DATA 21.

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 36

Findings 36

Conclusions 37

Recommendations 37

Areas of further research 37

References 39

Appendices 43

Appendix I - Transmittal Letter 44

Appendix II — Transmittal letter for respondents 45

Appendix III - Clearance from Ethics Committee 46

Appendix IV - Informed Consent 47

Appendix V — Face sheet 48

Appendix VI — Parenting styles 50

Appendix VII — Personal assertion analysis 51

ResearcherTs Curriculum Vitae 52