Influence of Neglectful Parenting Style on Conduct Disorder Among Secondary School Students in Turkana Central, Kenya

Abstract

Parenting is recognized as a universal phenomenon, plays a crucial role in child development and has been extensively studied in the existing literature. Parenting styles have been shown to have a substantial positive impact on various aspects of children's lives, including mental health, academic performance, and social skills. The study focuses on the pressing issue of conduct disorder among secondary school students, which has emerged as a global concern with far-reaching implications for both individual’s well-being and the society as a whole. The research sought to examine the influence of neglectful parenting on conduct disorder among secondary school students in Turkana Central. This study employed a cross-sectional survey as its research design, targeting the entire population of 6323 secondary school students in both public and private schools within Turkana Central. The sample size consisted of 364 secondary school students and five Principals. Stratified and simple random sampling were utilized to select student respondents, while purposeful sampling was employed for the selection of principals. Data collection involved the use of questionnaires and interview schedules. A pilot study was conducted in one school in Turkana East to determine the reliability of instruments. The overall Cronbach's Alpha for all 40 items of the instruments was 0.8242. Data was analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics which included use of the mean, frequencies and Pearson Chi-Square Test with the help of the statistical Package for social science (SPSS) software version 26. The Chi-Square tests showed strong correlations between neglectful practices and students' behavioural issues, such as parents being too busy to spend time with their children (χ²=3.483, p=0.035), not providing guidance or support (χ²=4.457, p=0.033), parent-child emotional distance (χ²=3.075, p=0.001),the low parental involvement in academic and personal matters (χ²=4.436, p=0.037) and the lack of enforcement of rules (χ²=4.224, p=0.003) were statistically significant indicators of conduct disorder among the students. Thus, the hypothesis that there is no significant influence of neglectful parenting style on conduct disorder among secondary school students in Turkana Central was rejected at 0.05 level of significance. The study underscores the need for balanced parenting approaches that combine character with emotional support and effective communication. While strict discipline may instil character, excessive control and harsh punishments can lead to conduct disorders, emphasizing the importance of fostering emotional connections and reducing punitive measures to promote healthy adolescent development. This study recommends a need to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of emotional neglect and the importance of emotional connection in preventing conduct disorders among the adolescents.