The Influence of Religion and Age On Cognitive Behaviours of Out-Of-School-Adolescents in Southwest, Nigeria

The study examined the influence of religion and age cognitive behaviours (nationalism, altruism, religious faith, and achievement motivation) of out-of-school adolescents in Southwest, Nigeria. The study specifically assessed the extents of components of cognitive behaviours of out-of-school-adolescents; and determined the difference in cognitive behaviours of out-of-school-adolescents based on religion and age. The descriptive research of the survey type was adopted in this study. The population of the study consisted of out-of-school-adolescents, both male and female in Southwest Nigeria. The study sample was 1500 out-of-school-adolescents in Southwest Nigeria consisting of 948 adolescent boys and 552 adolescent girls using multistage sampling procedure. The research instrument used was a questionnaire titled “Religion and Age Influence on Adolescents Cognitive Behaviours” (RAIACB) designed by the researcher. Face and content validity of the instrument were ensured by experts in Guidance and Counselling, Educational Psychology, and Tests and Measurement. Spearman Brown Prophesy formula was used and the reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained which implies that the instrument was reliable. The responses obtained were collated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that extents of components of cognitive behaviours which are nationalism, altruism, religious faith and achievement motivation among out-of-school-adolescents were moderate. It was also revealed that religion has no influence on cognitive behaviour while age has influence as out-of-school-adolescents within the age group of 17 – 19 have the highest level of cognitive behaviour. It was recommended among others that the government through professional counsellors should fund cognitive restructuring behaviour intervention programme for out-of-school-adolescents. Keywords: Religion, Age, Cognitive, Behaviour, Out-of-School-Adolescents