CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The exhibition of deviant behavior by secondary school students such as stealing, lying, fighting, prostitution, smoking etc. are not traits learnt in the classroom through formal learning but as result of misdirection and the inability to control the event of early childhood. Children exposed to high risk condition such as exposure to maternal depression or community violence, physical abuse or death of a parent. Substance abuse in a parent, Separation from a parent or caregiver, Sexual abuse, Stress caused by poverty, Sudden and/or serious medical condition, Violence (at home, at school, or in the surrounding community). Accidents. Bullying/cyber etc. manifest greater maladjustment than those who do not; thereby leading to deviant behavior. It has been observed that quite number of students in secondary schools exercise deviant behavior which is the violation of the norms and regulations of the society. Deviant behavior is defined as deviation from laid down rules and regulations of the community or principle of a social behavior such as engaging in crime, drunkenness, indiscipline in school, home prostitution, cultism, gambling etc. However, some children show resilience than others who have gone through trauma in earlier in life. Such children are able to better convert the ill conditions of the past into a positive better future. The school, parents, and the government have significant role to play in rebuilding the life of this victims. The study seeks to proffer an appraisal of childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviours among secondary school students.
1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Trauma which arises as a result of events in the early years of a child exact significant effect on the child’s behavior. Children exposed to high risk condition such as Exposure to maternal depression or community violence, physical abuse or death of a parent.   Substance abuse in a parent,   Separation from a parent or caregiver, Sexual abuse, Stress caused by poverty, Sudden and/or serious medical condition, Violence (at home, at school, or in the surrounding community). Accidents, Bullying/cyber bullying, domestic violence, parent with a mental illness, incarcerated. Emotional abuse or neglect, War/terrorism  etc., manifest greater  maladjustment than those who do not; Thereby leading to deviant behavior. Which is the violation of the norms and laws of the society such as crime, drunkenness, indiscipline in school, home prostitution, cultism, gambling etc.? However, some children show resilience than others who have gone through trauma earlier in life. Such children are able to better convert the ill conditions of the past into a positive better future. The school, parents, and the government have significant role to play in its rebuilding the life of this victims. The problem confronting the study is investigating childhood trauma, resilience and locus of control as predictors of deviant behaviors among secondary school students.