THE IMPACT OF GENDER AND EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE ON VIOLENT TENDENCIES AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN EKITI STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of gender and exposure to violence on violent tendencies among adolescents in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Employing an ex post facto research design, data were collected from 480 secondary school students (JSS1–SSS1) selected using a multistage sampling technique across 12 schools representing public and private institutions in all senatorial districts. Violent tendencies were assessed using the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, which measures physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Results revealed significant positive relationships between past exposure to violence and all aggression constructs: physical aggression (r = .46), verbal aggression (r = .32), anger (r = .38), and hostility (r = .35), indicating that adolescents exposed to violence are more likely to exhibit both overt and covert aggressive behaviors. Mean comparisons showed that adolescents with past exposure reported higher overall aggression (M = 98.18, SD = 18.37) compared to those without exposure (M = 86.55, SD = 16.75). It was also revealed that gender and past exposure to violence jointly predicted violent tendencies (F = 27.82, R² = 0.31), with both factors independently contributing to aggression levels. Findings underscore the importance of early interventions and targeted, gender-sensitive strategies to mitigate aggressive behavior among adolescents in high-risk environments. It is recommended that schools, parents, and communities should prioritise early identification of at-risk adolescents, strengthen violence-prevention and psychosocial support programmes for enhance healthy coping skills and prosocial behaviour.