CLASSROOM AGGRESSION IN HARARE URBAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

248 Pages·2016·1.74 MB·English

CLASSROOM AGGRESSION IN HARARE URBAN SECONDARY
SCHOOLS: CAUSES, MANIFESTATION AND IMPACT

by
ALFRED ZENGEYA

SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
IN THE SUBJECT
PSYCHOLOGY OF EDUCATION

AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR R. CHIRESHE
CO-SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR N. NAIDU
FEBRUARY 2016
SUMMARY
The study sought to establish the causes, manifestation and impact of classroom
aggression on students’ physical and mental health and academic performance in
Harare urban secondary schools in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research design
methodology was used in this study. The participants in the study were 40 students
and 15 teachers from 10 urban schools in Harare Metropolitan Province. In-depth
interview schedules and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The
study used a narrative analysis of interview and focus group texts. The data was
analysed using a narrative approach. The findings are presented according to the
research questions in narrative form illustrated by quotations. The findings of the
study revealed that participants believed that classroom aggressive behaviour was
caused by biological, social and economic factors. Biological factors included
temperament, hormonal imbalances during the menstrual cycle, secondary changes
during puberty such as physical strength and certain medical conditions. Social
factors included jealousy between romantic suitors, group dynamics during sports
competitions and school transitions, rogue prefects, gangs, peer pressure, sexual
abuse, corporal punishment, family factors and religious and cultural beliefs.
Aggressive behaviour was manifested in physical, relational, cyber and verbal forms.
The study also revealed that aggressive behaviour resulted in negative effects that
included students incurring physical injuries, committing suicide, experiencing
depressive symptoms, anxiety, performing poorly academically and early school
leaving.
Recommendations for policy and further research were made.
KEY TERMS
Classroom aggression, causes, manifestations, impact, adolescent students,
secondary school, Harare.
i
DECLARATION
Student number: 4182-292-7

I declare that CLASSROOM AGGRESSION IN HARARE URBAN SECONDARY
SCHOOLS: CAUSES, MANIFESTATION AND IMPACT is my own work and that all
sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by
means of complete references.

___________________ ________________________
Signature Date
Mr A. Zengeya

ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to all those who
assisted me to complete this study. Special thanks are conveyed to Professors R.
Chireshe and N. Naidu, my supervisor and co-supervisor respectively for their
patience, encouragement and critical input in the development of this research. I also
want to thank Dr F.H. Weeks who initially supervised me before retirement. Lastly, I
thank all members of my family for their critical support.

iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ i
DECLARATION .................................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... iii
LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. x
CHAPTER 1: ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY .................................................................... 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ................................................................................................ 1
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS .......................................... 4
1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................................... 5
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................ 5
1.6 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................... 6
1.6.1 Bio-ecological theory ........................................................................................................... 6
1.6.2 Attribution Theory............................................................................................................... 10
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................. 13
1.8 OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS .................................................................................................. 13
1.9 DELIMITATION OF STUDY ....................................................................................................... 14
1.10 CLARIFICATION OF CONCEPTS .......................................................................................... 14
1.10.1 Aggression ....................................................................................................................... 14
1.10.2 Bullying ............................................................................................................................ 14
1.10.3 Academic performance .................................................................................................... 15
1.10.4 Adolescent student .......................................................................................................... 15
1.10.5 Secondary School ............................................................................................................ 15
1.11 ORGANIZATION OF THESIS.................................................................................................. 16
1.12 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 17
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF RELATED INTERNATIONAL AND ZIMBABWEAN
LITERATURE ON CAUSES, MANIFESTATION AND IMPACT OF CLASSROOM
AGGRESSION ............................................................................................................... 18
2.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 18
2.2 CAUSES OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR ............................................................................... 18
2.2.1 Biological Factors............................................................................................................... 18
2.2.1.1 Puberty ...................................................................................................................... 19
2.2.1.2 Hormones, the brain and human aggression ............................................................ 19
2.2.1.3 Temperament and aggressive behaviours ................................................................ 20
2.2.1.4 Personality Factors .................................................................................................... 22
2.2.1.5 Narcissism ................................................................................................................. 25
2.2.2 Social factors ..................................................................................................................... 27
2.2.2.1 School Factors ........................................................................................................... 28
2.2.2.2 Peer group Influence ................................................................................................. 30
2.2.2.3 Family and adolescent aggression ............................................................................ 32
2.3 MANIFESTATION OF AGGRESSION ...................................................................................... 35
iv
2.3.1 Physical aggression ........................................................................................................... 35
2.3.2 Relational aggression ........................................................................................................ 36
2.3.2.1 Gossiping ................................................................................................................... 36
2.3.2.2 Spreading rumours .................................................................................................... 37
2.3.2.3 Exclusion ................................................................................................................... 37
2.3.3 Cyber aggression ............................................................................................................... 38
2.3.4 Verbal aggression .............................................................................................................. 38
2.3.4.1 Teasing ...................................................................................................................... 39
2.3.4.2 Name calling .............................................................................................................. 40
2.4 IMPACT OF AGGRESSION ...................................................................................................... 40
2.4.1 Aggression and mental health ........................................................................................... 40
2.4.2 Suicidal ideation, depression and aggression ................................................................... 41
2.4.3 Aggression and teen pregnancy ........................................................................................ 45
2.4.4 Aggression and academic performance ............................................................................ 46
2.4.5 Aggression and student dropout ........................................................................................ 50
2.5 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. 52
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..................................................................... 53
3.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 53
3.2 PARADIGMS.............................................................................................................................. 53
3.2.1 Constructivism ................................................................................................................... 54
3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN ................................................................................................................ 54
3.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 54
3.3.2 Qualitative design .............................................................................................................. 55
3.4 POPULATION ............................................................................................................................ 57
3.5 SAMPLING PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................ 58
3.6 Sample Size ............................................................................................................................... 60
3.7 Instrumentation .......................................................................................................................... 61
3.7.1 Semi-structured Interview schedule................................................................................... 62
3.7.2 Focus group discussion guide ........................................................................................... 63
3.7.3 Validity and Trustworthiness .............................................................................................. 66
3.8 PILOT STUDY............................................................................................................................ 70
3.9 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: MAIN STUDY ................................................................. 71
3.9.1 Semi-structured interviews ................................................................................................ 71
3.9.2 Focus group discussions ................................................................................................... 72
3.10 DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE ............................................................................................. 76
3.10.1 Data transcription ............................................................................................................. 76
3.11 ETHICAL ISSUES .................................................................................................................... 77
3.11.1 Permission ....................................................................................................................... 77
3.11.2 Confidentiality .................................................................................................................. 78
3.11.3 Anonymity ........................................................................................................................ 79
3.11.4 Informed Consent ............................................................................................................ 79
3.11.5 Harm to participants ......................................................................................................... 80
3.12 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 81
CHAPTER 4: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ............................ 82
4.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 82
4.2 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ............................................................................................................. 83
v
4.3 BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS THAT CAUSE CLASSROOM AGGRESSION IN
HARARE SECONDARY SCHOOLS .......................................................................................... 85
4.3.1 Responses from students .................................................................................................. 85
4.3.2 Responses from teachers .................................................................................................. 91
4.4 OTHER CAUSAL FACTORS ..................................................................................................... 95
4.4.1 Responses from students .................................................................................................. 95
4.4.2 Response from teachers .................................................................................................... 97
4.5 MANIFESTATION OF CLASSROOM AGGRESSION .............................................................. 98
4.5.1 Physical Aggression .......................................................................................................... 98
4.5.1.1 Responses from students .......................................................................................... 98
4.5.1.2 Responses from teachers .......................................................................................... 99
4.5.2 Relational Aggression ...................................................................................................... 101
4.5.2.1 Responses from students ........................................................................................ 101
4.5.2.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 102
4.5.3 Cyber Aggression ............................................................................................................ 102
4.5.3.1 Responses from students ........................................................................................ 102
4.5.3.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 103
4.5.4 Verbal Aggression ........................................................................................................... 104
4.5.4.1 Responses from students ........................................................................................ 104
4.5.4.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 105
4.6 IMPACT OF CLASSROOM AGGRESSION ............................................................................ 106
4.6.1 Mental health ................................................................................................................... 106
4.6.1.1 Responses from students ........................................................................................ 106
4.6.2 Physical Injuries ............................................................................................................... 107
4.6.2.1 Reponses from students .......................................................................................... 107
4.6.2.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 107
4.6.3 Academic performance .................................................................................................... 108
4.6.3.1 Responses from students ........................................................................................ 108
4.6.3.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 109
4.6.4 School dropout ................................................................................................................. 110
4.6.4.1 Response from students .......................................................................................... 110
4.6.4.2 Responses from teachers ........................................................................................ 111
4.7 STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND REDUCE CLASSROOM AGGRESSION ........................ 112
4.7.1 Responses from students ................................................................................................ 112
4.7.2 Responses from teachers ................................................................................................ 113
4.7.3 Responses from students ................................................................................................ 113
4.7.4 Responses from teachers ................................................................................................ 114
4.8 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS .................................................................................................. 115
4.8.1 Factors that cause classroom aggression in Harare urban secondary schools .............. 115
4.8.1.1 Biological factors...................................................................................................... 115
4.8.1.2 Social factors ........................................................................................................... 117
4.8.2 Manifestation of classroom aggression in Harare secondary schools ............................ 127
4.8.2.1 Physical aggression ................................................................................................. 127
4.8.2.2 Relational aggression .............................................................................................. 129
4.8.2.3 Cyber aggression..................................................................................................... 129
4.8.2.4 Verbal aggression .................................................................................................... 130
4.8.3 The impact of classroom aggression on physical and mental health, academic
vi
performance and school dropout ......................................................................................... 131
4.8.3.1 Physical injuries ....................................................................................................... 131
4.8.3.2 Mental health and suicide ........................................................................................ 132
4.8.3.3 Academic performance ............................................................................................ 134
4.8.3.4 Pregnancy ................................................................................................................ 137
4.8.3.5 Dropping out of school ............................................................................................. 138
4.9 WHAT STRATEGIES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO PREVENT AND REDUCE
CLASSROOM AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN URBAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN
HARARE? ................................................................................................................................. 140
4.10 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 143
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................... 144
5.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 144
5.2 REVIEW OF RESEARCH PROBLEM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................. 144
5.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................... 145
5.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 146
5.4.1 The bio-ecological model ................................................................................................. 146
5.4.2 Attribution theory .............................................................................................................. 146
5.5 BIOLOGICAL FACTORS ......................................................................................................... 147
5.6 SOCIAL FACTORS .................................................................................................................. 147
5.6.1 Aggression and mental and physical health .................................................................... 148
5.6.1.1 Aggression and suicidal behaviour .......................................................................... 148
5.6.1.2 Aggression and academic performance .................................................................. 148
5.6.2 Aggression and student dropout ...................................................................................... 149
5.7 RESEARCH DESIGN .............................................................................................................. 149
5.7.1 Population and sample size ............................................................................................. 149
5.7.2 Instrumentation ................................................................................................................ 149
5.7.3 Pilot study ........................................................................................................................ 150
5.7.4 Data analysis procedure .................................................................................................. 150
5.7.5 Ethical issues ................................................................................................................... 150
5.8 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS .............................................................................................. 150
5.8.1 Factors that cause classroom aggression in Harare urban secondary schools .............. 150
5.8.1.1 Biological factors...................................................................................................... 150
5.8.1.2 Social factors ........................................................................................................... 151
5.8.2 Manifestation of classroom aggression in Harare urban secondary schools .................. 152
5.8.2.1 Physical aggression ................................................................................................. 153
5.8.2.2 Relational aggression .............................................................................................. 153
5.8.2.3 Cyber aggression..................................................................................................... 153
5.8.2.4 Verbal aggression .................................................................................................... 153
5.8.3 The impact of classroom aggression on physical and mental health, academic
performance and school dropout ......................................................................................... 154
5.8.3.1 Physical injuries ....................................................................................................... 154
5.8.3.2 Mental health and suicide ........................................................................................ 154
5.8.3.3 Academic performance ............................................................................................ 154
5.8.3.4 Pregnancy ................................................................................................................ 155
5.8.3.5 Dropping out of school ............................................................................................. 155
5.9 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................... 155
5.10 CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................ 156
vii
5.11 RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................................... 157
5.11.1 Policy ............................................................................................................................. 157
5.11.2 Practice .......................................................................................................................... 157
5.11.3 Proposed model to manage classroom aggression and its impact ............................... 158
5.11.4 Aggression prevention policy ......................................................................................... 159
5.11.5 Training of teachers and students ................................................................................. 159
5.11.6 Improve classroom management .................................................................................. 160
5.11.7 School-parent-community leaders partnerships ............................................................ 160
5.11.8 Counselling .................................................................................................................... 160
5.11.9 Increase academic motivation and student engagement to tackle poor academic
performance school dropout through attribution retraining and better practice................... 161
5.12 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH ......................................................... 162
5.13 FINAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................................... 163
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 164
APPENDIX A: DRAFT INTERVIEW SCHEDULE ............................................................. 222
APPENDIX B: FOCUS GROUP TOPIC GUIDE ................................................................ 225
APPENDIX C: FINAL INTERVIEW GUIDE/AGENDA ...................................................... 226
APPENDIX D: PERMISSION LETTER FROM MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION ........................................................................................ 229
APPENDIX E: PERMISSION LETTER FOR RESEARCH FROM HARARE
PROVINCIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORATE ............................................................... 230
APPENDIX F: INFORMED CONSENT FORM FOR TEACHERS ..................................... 231
APPENDIX G: PARENTS/GUARDIANS INFORMED CONSENT FORM ......................... 233
APPENDIX H: ASSENT FORMS FOR LEARNERS ......................................................... 235
APPENDIX I: EDITING CERTIFICATE ............................................................................. 237

viii
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 5.1: A proposed model to manage classroom aggression and its impact ... 158

ix