Master of Arts in Education (Guidance and Counseling)

Abstract:

This study titled factors influencing learners' offending behavior aimed to determine the factors influencing student offending behavior within the context of Mayor Cesario A. Pimentel National High School (MCAPNHS) in the Philippines. A quantitative survey was employed among the 108 identified violators. The findings revealed that most of the respondents were 17-19 years old, female, and were Grade 10 students. The learners' offending behaviors revealed that "absences" was the most number of incidents for minor offenses, "Cutting of classes or any official school function" for serious offense, and "Vandalism in any school premises" for very serious offense. It was also found out that most of the offenders committed such offenses "Once a school year" and most of it were minor offenses only. The influences of the learners' offending behavior revealed that such influences occurred for peer interaction, social dynamics, and group influences. For practical implications, counseling services, teacher training, and support groups were recommended as effective reformative mental health programs to address students' offending behaviors.