APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN CURBING DEVIANT BEHAVIOURS IN NIGERIA

Ibrahim Ignatius Ruwan, Samson Ishaya Dashit, Agnes O. Okorie, Yusuf Garba Musa, Jose Charlton, Princess Okopide Uduak

Abstract


This study appraised the role of religious institutions in curbing deviant behaviours in Nigeria. The study focused on religious attendance and religious commitment as predictors of deviant behaviours among adolescents. Fifty (N = 50) adolescents participated in this study. They included individuals between the ages of 13 to 19. The sample was chosen using convenient sampling techniques. Their age ranged from 13 to 19, with a mean age of 15.2 and a standard deviation of 2.25. They comprised thirty-eight (38) males and twelve (12) females. Two instruments were used to obtain data: General deviance subscale of the Normative Deviance Scale and Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10). Step-Wise, Multiple Regression and cross-sectional design were used for the study and to analyse the data. The result showed that Religious attendance entered in step 2 of the equation significantly predicted deviant behaviours among adolescents (β = .51, t = 4.023, p<.001). Religious commitment entered in step 3 of the equation significantly predicted deviant behaviours among adolescents (β = .39, t = -2.431, p<.001). Both null hypotheses were rejected. Merits and demerits of the study were stated, and recommendations made.


Keywords


Appraisal, Religious Institutions, Deviant behaviours, Adolescents, Nigeria.

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