Emotional intelligence and parenting style as predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents in Ikorodu, Lagos state

This study investigated emotional intelligence and parenting style as predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The study employed descriptive research of correlational type. The participants of this study included 200 systematically selected adolescents within Ikorodu, Local Government Area, Lagos State. They consisted of 114 male and 86 female participants. A self-developed instrument named emotional intelligence and parenting style as predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was used to collect the needed data. Pearson product moment correlation and regression analysis were used in testing the research hypotheses. The results of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and bullying behavior among adolescents (r cal. = 0.57, df = 199 < 0.05); it also indicated that there was a significant relationship between parenting style and bullying behavior among adolescents (r cal. = 0.50, df = 199 < 0.05); it was revealed that emotional intelligence and parenting style when pulled together have a significant joint contribution to the prediction of bullying behavior among adolescents in Ikorodu, Lagos State (F 2/200 = 9.22, p< 0.05); and it also showed that each of the independent variables (Emotional Intelligence and Parenting Style) made a significant relative contribution to the prediction of bullying behavior among adolescents. In terms of the magnitude of contribution, parenting styles made the most significant contribution (Beta = 0.44; t= 7.28; p< 0.05) to the prediction, followed by emotional intelligence (Beta = 0.13; t=0.13; t=1.46 p< 0.05). Based on the above findings, a number of recommendations were put forward. They include parents and guardians ought to invest energy with their adolescents and parents and guardians ought to engage with their adolescents so they might be kept from developing different bullying behavior.