THE ROLE OF PARENTAL SUPPORT IN REDUCING THE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF CHIELDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIREMENT IN JEGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT KEBBI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the role of parental support in reducing aggressive behavior among children with hearing impairment in Jega Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research objectives and two null hypotheses. A descriptive correlational survey design was adopted, involving a population of 120 parents and 90 teachers of children with hearing impairment in the area. Through stratified random sampling, 90 parents and 60 teachers were selected as participants. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Parental Support and Aggressive Behaviour Scale (PSABS), which had a reliability coefficient of 0.82 established through the test–retest method. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between parental support and the reduction of aggressive behavior among children with hearing impairment in Jega Local Government. Furthermore, significant differences were found among the types of parental support emotional, communicative, and educational in their effectiveness at minimizing aggressive tendencies. The study recommended that parents of children with hearing impairment should receive regular training and counseling organized by special education units and community-based rehabilitation centers to strengthen their support skills. Additionally, collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and school authorities was suggested to develop structured parental support frameworks that integrate various support strategies for improved child behavior outcomes.