Mediating Effect of Problem Behavior on Parenting Practice and Academic Disengagement: A Case Study of Secondary School Students in Mombasa County, Kenya

Disruptive behaviors such as arson attacks and violence are a common phenomenon in secondary schools. Problem behavior is a matter of concern among secondary school students and creates a vicious cycle as adolescents are likely to get involved in academic disengagement and ultimately drop out of school. The study investigates the relationships between parenting practices, problem behavior, and academic disengagement among adolescents aged 12–18 in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study utilized correlational design and quantitative methodology. The target population was all the 3286 students in Mombasa County at year two of study in secondary schools. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to determine the interrelationships between parenting practices, problem behavior and academic disengagement. Parenting practice and academic disengagement have a negative and significant relationship, r (618) =-.266 (p=0.015<0.05). Parenting practices characterized by affection, support, effective communication, behavioral control, encouragement of autonomy was negatively associated with problem behavior. Problem behaviour and academic disengagement have a positive and significant relationship, r (618) = .483 (p=.000<0.05). Anxiety, anger, disruptive behaviors and aggression amongst other problem behaviors contribute to learner’s conflicts with peers and teachers, disliking of the school, absenteeism, non-participation to co-curricular activities, rule breaking, and violence and bullying. Problem behavior mediates the relationship between parenting practice and academic disengagement. Negative parenting increases the likelihood of problem behaviors, which in turn reduces school engagement, leading to academic disengagement while positive parenting reduces the likelihood of problem behavior, thus enhancing academic engagement.