EFFECTIVENESS OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOUR AND REALITY THERAPIES IN REDUCING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS OF HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS IN ILORIN, NIGERIA
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Date
2017
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University of Ilorin
Abstract
Findings from previous studies and the gap left behind showed that the issue of aggressive
behaviours among students with hearing impairment has created serious concerns for parents,
school authorities and the society at large. The attitudes of such students impact negatively on
their academic performance, interpersonal relationships and general social wellbeing. This
study therefore investigated the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
(REBT) and Reality Therapy (RT) in reducing aggressive behaviours of students with hearing
impairment in Ilorin, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the
aggressive behaviours index of participants before and after experimental packages; (ii)
which of REBT, RT and control groups is effective in reducing aggressive behaviours of
participants; (iii) which of REBT and RT is more effective and (iv) the influence of
moderating variables of gender and age on the effectiveness of REBT and RT.
The study is a quasi-experimental research design adopting pre-test, post-test and control
group. There were two treatment groups (REBT & RT) and a control group. A total of 84
students were selected using purposive, stratified and proportional sampling techniques from
Kwara State School for Special Needs, Ilorin using an Aggressive Behaviour Scale (ABS)
developed by Orpinas and Frankowski (2001). The aggressive behaviours benchmarks are
boys 19.3; girls 13.2. The validity of the test was established through the use of construct
validity. The internal consistency of ABS was ascertained having Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88.
Aggressive Programme Evaluation Questionnaire (APEQ) (2008) was adopted and used to
ascertain the effectiveness of the experimental packages. Analysis of Covariance
(ANCOVA) was used to analyse hypotheses 1, 5 - 10, t-test was used for hypotheses 2, 3, 4
and Scheffe Multiple Comparison Test was used for post-hoc analysis at 0.05 alpha level.
Findings of the study were that:
i. the aggressive behaviours index of participants before and after experimental
packages were REBT 31.68, 4.93; RT 38.63, 3.00; and control 35.14, 40.66,
respectively;
ii. there is a significant higher reduction in the aggressive behaviours of participants
exposed to treatments (REBT & RT) than those in the control group (F 865.06 p
< 0.05) in favour of those in the treatment groups;
iii. RT treatment package was found to be more effective when compared to REBT
(t 54= 3.80, p < 0.05); and
iv. gender and age had no influence on the effectiveness of REBT and RT treatments (F
0.39 p > 0.05; F 1.07 p > 0.05, respectively).
The study concluded that although both REBT and RT were effective in reducing aggressive
behaviours of students with hearing impairment, RT was more effective while gender and age
had no influence on the effectiveness of the treatments. The implication of the findings is that
students with hearing impairment could be assisted by reducing their aggressive behaviours.
The study recommended that Counsellors should adopt RT and REBT in reducing cases of
aggressive behaviours because using their principles would inculcate anti-aggressive
behaviours in the minds of students with hearing impairment and thus improving
interpersonal relationship.
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Keywords
RATIONAL EMOTIVE BEHAVIOUR, REALITY THERAPIES, REDUCING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS, HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS, ILORIN, NIGERIA