Relationships between Family Communication and Disruptive Behaviors of Adolescents in Harari Regional State
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Background: Adolescent disruptive behavior is one of the most commonly reported challenges across the world in general and in Ethiopia in particular. However, the problem has not received the attention it deserves from researchers.
Objectives: the study was aimed at examining the level of disruptive behaviors and its relationship with family communication and related other factors among adolescents. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from a randomly selected 304 adolescent students (155 males, 149 females) using 'the Problem Behavior Frequency Questionnaire', and 'The Family Communication Scale’. Correlational research design was employed to address the objectives of the study. Correlational analysis, t-test, and regression analysis were conducted to examine relationships and differences.
Results: The statistical analysis yielded that there is a widespread problem of disruptive behaviors among adolescents in the study area. Likewise, a statistically significant negative relationship (r = –0.51, P < 0.001) was found between family communication and disruptive behaviors. Moreover, family communication, family structures, and sex as variables contribute significantly (P < 0.05) to disruptive behaviors in adolescents. Although delinquency does not differ significantly for male and female adolescents, as a group, male adolescents engage in more physical aggressions than female adolescents do (P < 0.05). However, the results showed that female adolescents engage in more relational aggression than their males counterparts do (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the number of adolescents engaging in disruptive behaviors is growing at an alarming rate. Poor family communication and non-intact family structures are among the factors that contribute to the problem; hence, to prevent further development of the problem, interventions should be made to limit the problems and its potential negative consequences on family and community as well.
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