INFLUENCE OF OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDERS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TURKANA WEST SUB- COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is multiplicity of dysfunctional behaviours exhibited by students who are not conforming to the societal norms, morals and code of ethics. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of ODD on academic performance among the secondary school students in Turkana West -Sub County, Kenya. The study was supported by Instinct Theory of Aggression that explains the sources of students’ oppositional defiant behaviours, that originate from Eros and Thanatos The study aimed to achieve the following study objectives (i) To determine the causes of ODD among secondary school students in Turkana West Sub County (ii) To Investigate the influence of ODD on academic performance in Turkana West Sub County (iii) To Examine the intervention measures for ODD students. The research questions based on the specific objectives were; What were the causes of ODD among the secondary school students? What influence does ODD have on academic performance? What are intervention measures for ODD students? The study employed mixed method approach, where the qualitative data collected was analysed descriptively using Mean and Standard Deviation and the Quantitative data collected was analysed quantitatively using Linear Regression and Pearson Product Moment Correlation through the aid of SPSS software application (version 21). The target population were the students, teachers, MoEST and parent. The Sample size determination was arrived at using Yamane Taro formulae. Simple random, convenience and purposive sampling were used to select the respondents in the study. The findings of the study revealed that poor caring environment, poor socio-economic background, poor relation between students and teachers and peer pressure was the leading ODD causes. The study indicated a significant moderate negative correlation between ODD manifestation and performance at r (55) = -.55, p <. 001.This implies that increase in ODD manifestation led to a decline in academic performance. The study recommended the following; Turkana West Sub county ministry of Education Office to adopt new policies and curriculum to improve on academic performance of ODD, Guidance and Counselling sections to be empowered and strengthened in Secondary Schools where each student single criterion behaviour will be assessed, diagnosed and determined, Parents to use home-base positive modalities to discipline their children, contractive punishment can be adopted, talking to and guiding them towards right direction .The study also recommend Academic tour exchange programmes for students through visiting the best national performing schools and symposiums bench marking.