Influence of Parents Physical Abuse on Emotional and Academic Adjustment of Secondary Schools Students in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State Nigeria

The study investigates influence of parents’ physical abuse on emotional and academic adjustment of secondary school students in Ijumu LGA of Kogi State, Nigeria. Correlational designed was used for the study. A sample of fifty one (51) abused students was drawn from two public schools. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. Statistical means was used to answer the research questions and inferential statistics of Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used in determining if or not a significant influence existed. Results showed that all the hypotheses 1 and 2 were rejected. Significant negative influence existed between parents physical abuse and emotional adjustment of students with (r= -0.567, p= 0.000), parents’ physical abuse and academic adjustment of students with (r= -0.769, p= 0.030). The results of the study indicated that parents’ physical abuse has negative influence on emotional and academic adjustment of students’ in Secondary Schools. It was therefore recommended that through Parent Teachers Association (PTA), school counselors should continuously sensitize parents on the need to desist from physical abuse because of the negative influence it has on the emotional well being of students. Non-Governmental Organizations should invigorate their efforts on massive campaign against physical abuse. This will make parents to understand the implication of physical assault on their children such as kicking, pushing and torturing, as this produces fearfulness, anxiety, low self-esteem and academic adjustment difficulties. The National and all states’ Houses of Assembly should deem it fit to pass the Child Rights Act. Hence, this will give protection to young secondary school students against physical abuse by parents and improved their emotional and academic adjustment.

openalex: W3214163544 mag: 3214163544