Developmental Psychology
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Item The Influence of Peer Pressure on Self-Esteem among Undergraduate Students at Addis Ababa University(Addis Ababa University, 2025) Bethelhem Demissie; Endalkachew TeseraThis study looked at the influence of peer pressure on self-esteem among undergraduate students at Addis Ababa University using a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey design. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select 346 respondents proportionally from three departments. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression models. Results revealed that overall peer pressure had a significant negative relationship with self-esteem (β = –0.424, p < 0.001). When disaggregated by domain, academic peer pressure (β = 0.497, p < 0.001) was associated with higher self-esteem, while social (β = –0.235, p < 0.001) and behavioral (β = –0.181, p < 0.001) pressures were associated with lower self-esteem. Regarding the type of peer pressure experienced, 65% of students reported mainly positive peer pressure, such as motivation, encouragement, and responsibility, while 35% experienced mainly negative peer pressure, such as rejection, risky behaviors, and peer pressure to engage in harmful activities. This distribution highlights that peer pressure is not inherently harmful but depends on its valence and context. The study concludes that academic peer influence can be constructive when framed positively, while negative social and behavioral pressures undermine self-worth. It recommends that universities strengthen peer mentoring programs to channel academic influence into motivation, expand counseling services to address harmful pressures, and promote student-led initiatives that foster supportive peer networks. Keywords: Peer pressure, self-esteem, academic pressure, positive influence, negative influence, social pressure and behavioral pressureItem The Relationship Between Youth Developmental Assets and Middle School Students' Academic Performance in Addis Ababa : The Case of Selected Schools(Addis Ababa University, 2025) Gize Tamiru; Yekoyealem DesieThis study aims to examine the correlation between youth developmental assets and student's academic performance of grade 7 and 8 students in private and government schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. And it employed a descriptive quantitative research design to examine the relation between youth developmental assets and academic performance among middle school students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The research aimed to: (1) assess the current status of students' developmental assets, (2) determine their relation to academic achievement, (3) identify key assets influencing performance, and (4) examine variations by school type, gender, and socioeconomic status. Data was collected from 291 students (53.6% male, 46.4% female) across Grades 7-8 in both private (55.8%) and government (44.2%) schools. The study measured eight key developmental assets including commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity, external support, empowerment, expectations/boundaries, and constructive time use. Results revealed statistically significant intercorrelations among assets. Students demonstrated strengths in prosocial values (M=4.79) and family support (M=4.11), but showed room for improvement in emotional expression (M=3.46) and perceived control (M=3.71). The assets collectively explained 91% of academic performance variance, with empowerment (β=1.18) and expectations/boundaries (β=0.81) emerging as the strongest predictors. Variations were observed by school type and location: private school students reported higher levels of commitment to learning and positive identity, while government school students showed greater strengths in family support and positive values. These findings underscore the importance of holistic youth development approaches in Ethiopian educational contexts and suggest the need for targeted interventions addressing emotional skills and community support systems while building on existing strengths in values education and family engagement. Keywords: youth developmental assets, academic performance, Ethiopia, middle school students, empowerment.Item The Perception of Parents on Screen Time Usage and Social Communication Skills Among Lemikura Sub-City Pre-School Children, Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Haftu Hagos; Tamirie Andualem (PhD)The primary objective of this study was to find out the association between screen time usage and language development among preschool children in the Lemikura sub-city. A correlational research design was employed, utilizing the Social Communication Skill-Pragmatics Checklist (SCS) and a Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire as research instruments. Four preschool were selected using random sampling, and participants (parents) were identified through a table of random numbers to ensure specific individuals were included in the sample. Data were collected from these four schools, all located within the Werda three cluster of the Lemikura sub- city. The study involved 165 parents, of whom 90 were male and 75 were female. The findings shows a negative linear relationship between screen time usage and language development, with a correlation coefficient of -.418. This indicates that as screen time increases, language development tends to decrease, and vice versa. However, the study found no statistically significant difference in the mean of the screen time exposure across different levels of Parent Education Status. Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found in the mean of dependent variable (screen time usage) across different levels of Parent Economic Status. Furthermore, the analysis of gender differences in screen time usage and language development, showed no statistically significant differences across all three variables analyzed -Total Social Communication Skills, Total Digital Screen Exposure scores, and average daily screen time - this study found no statistically significant differences between male and female preschool children. In conclusion, evidence suggests that excessive screen time in children may negatively impact their language development. The study suggest that parents should actively and thoughtfully manage their children's exposure to screens. This involves setting clear, consistent boundaries, establishing routines that limit media consumption, and, critically, prioritizing direct interaction and real-world experiences.Item Subjective Well-Being among Older Adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Conceptualization and Instrument Development(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2025-07) Teshome Kondale; Yekoyealem Desie (Associate Professor)Conceptualization and measurement of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) among retired older adults is insufficiently studied area in Ethiopia but of growing importance. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of retired pensioners on late life precarity, examine how SWB is conceptualized among retired older adults, and develop and validate locally relevant instrument for measuring retired older adults' SWB in Addis Ababa. Sequential exploratory mixed-methods research design was employed through two distinct phases where qualitative methods precede the quantitative approach. The first phase of the study was aimed to explore the perspectives of retired pensioners on late life precarity and examine how SWB is conceptualized among retired older adults in Addis Ababa. For this study, six woredas from three sub-cities were chosen purposively, and 31 retired pensioners (20 men and 11 women) aged 60 and older participated. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to gather qualitative data from the study participants and a thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The qualitative analysis generated five overarching themes: unattended health issues and unaffordable health care; absence of recreational places; lack of respect and feeling disengaged; vulnerable livelihoods and precarious lives; and the overlooked value and contributions of retired older adults to Ethiopian society. Concerning participants’ perspectives on their well-being, the six themes identified were physical and mental health, family and social interactions, financial stability and security, optimism and autonomy, religious faith and practice, and opportunity to work and contribute to the community. The second phase of the study was designed to develop and validate locally relevant instrument for measuring retired older adults SWB. For this purpose, an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design was employed initially to explore the conceptualization of SWB and its indicators qualitatively, then followed by a quantitative method to examine the validity of the scale. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Data for qualitative analysis were gathered from retired older adults using in depth interviews and focus group discussions, whereas data for quantitative analysis were gathered from expert judges and retired older adults. A multistage random sampling method was employed to choose woredas, and twelve woredas from four sub-cities with better documentation were selected. To develop and validate instrument for measuring older adults’ SWB, data were collected twice, one for preliminary analyses such as item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability analysis based on the responses of 272 participants (men=176; women=96), and the other for examining confirmatory factor analysis as well as convergent and discriminant validity analysis using the responses of 259 participants (men=168 and women=91) from the four sub-cities, were randomly selected. The collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS with AMOS 23.0. The final results revealed that a 5-factor solution (physical and mental health, family and social interactions, financial stability and security, optimism and autonomy, religious faith and practice) with a 27-item was identified, and then confirmed with good fit indices. Moreover, acceptable convergent and discriminant validity evidence was found. Thus, it would be sufficient to say that the SWB scale measures what it purports to measure. Overall, the results underscore the importance of comprehensive and contextually relevant psychosocial and economic interventions aimed at improving the SWB of retired older adults. The results suggest the need for national aging policies with a strong political will and gender sensitivity for their implementation. Additionally, it also indicates the need for further research to examine the concurrent validity of the newly developed SWB scale.Item Lived Experiences of Employed Mothers Raising Toddlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-05) Hawi Birhanu; Teka Zewdi (PhD)This study evaluates the lived experiences of employed mothers raising toddlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It explores the experiences of employed mothers navigating childcare in the settings of changing gender roles, rapid urbanization, and limited institutional support. Although the essential developmental requirements of children between the ages of one and three are well acknowledged, there has been less focus on the emotional and practical challenges faced by mothers managing both work and caregiving responsibilities. The study was inspired by the shortage of research tailored to African, urban, especially in areas where formal childcare options are limited and cultural norms emphasize the importance of a mother’s presence and used qualitative phenomenological methodology. Data was collected through in depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with ten employed mothers in Addis Ababa raising toddlers between the ages of one and three years, who were chosen through purposeful sampling and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was done. The findings revealed four key themes: (1) persistent role conflict and emotional distress, e.g., guilt, concern, and social criticism; (2) adaptive coping strategies such as time management, in-formal support systems, and reframing of emotions; (3) transformation in maternal identity through resilience and restructuring of success; and (4) perceived impact on toddler development, particularly in emotional attachment and quality of stand-in care. These interactions underscore the trade-offs mothers consistently need to make within the context of weak institutional systems and high cultural demands. The study concluded that without responsive and culturally appropriate interventions, both maternal health and child development remain at risk. It recommends policy actions such as expanding access to well-regulated and low-cost childcare provisions, promoting flexible workspaces, and establishing community-based support systems reflecting the life circumstances of working mothers in Ethiopian urban setting. Keywords: Working Mothers; Toddler Care; Role Conflict; Coping Mechanisms; EthiopiaItem Causes and Consequences of Divorce on Muslim Women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2024-10) Sitina Amino; Seleshi Zeleke (PhD)Divorce is an increasingly common social phenomenon with significant psychological, social, and economic consequences, particularly for women in patriarchal societies. This study investigates the causes and consequences of divorce among Muslim women in Addis Ababa using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were gathered from 313 divorced women through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained from in-depth interviews with six experienced lawyers. The findings reveal that key causes of divorce include communication breakdown, behavioral incompatibility, polygamy, economic hardship, emotional neglect, and substance abuse—particularly khat addiction. These factors are often compounded by socio-cultural expectations, inadequate pre-marital inquiry, and family interference. The consequences of divorce on women were found to be multidimensional, encompassing emotional distress, social stigma, economic instability, and diminished self-esteem. Recommendations include enhancing pre-marital counseling, increasing awareness of women's rights under Islamic and civil law, and strengthening post-divorce psychological and financial support systems. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of divorce within Muslim communities and offers culturally informed strategies for intervention and support. Keywords: marriage, divorce, economic independence, cultural diversity, social valuesItem Bullying Victimization and Self-Efficacy among Students in Kokebe Tsibah Secondary School Students(Addis Ababa University, 2024-06) Nitsuhalem Teshome; Assefa Berihun (PhD)This research aims to explore the intricate relationship between bullying victimization and self-efficacy among students at Kokebe Tsibah Secondary School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, addressing a significant gap in the literature specific to the Ethiopian context. The study seeks to understand how various forms of bullying, including physical, verbal, and cyberbullying, influence students' self-efficacy and overall well-being, considering the unique cultural and social dynamics present in the Ethiopian educational landscape. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis through regression techniques and qualitative insights from student interviews. A representative sample of students from grades 9 to 12 was examined to ensure comprehensive data collection and analysis. The study involves (1) a quantitative evaluation of the correlation between bullying and self-efficacy using statistical analysis, (2) qualitative thematization and categorization of interview responses to explore students’ personal experiences and perceptions of bullying, and (3) examination of the effectiveness of coping mechanisms and existing interventions within the school environment. The quantitative analysis revealed no statistically significant relationship between bullying and self-efficacy; however, qualitative narratives indicated varied impacts on emotional well-being and academic performance. Students highlighted inconsistencies in teacher intervention and expressed a need for more effective anti-bullying measures. The findings underscore the importance of culturally-sensitive interventions and the essential role of educators and community in mitigating bullying's impacts. The research concludes that while bullying does not significantly predict self-efficacy statistically, it adversely affects students' well-being and academic success. Recommendations include implementing comprehensive anti-bullying policies, enhancing teacher training, fostering inclusive cultures, and promoting community involvement to address bullying and support student empowerment. Key Terms: Bullying Victimization, Self-Efficacy, Ethiopian Schools, Mixed-Methods, Student Well-being.Item Moral Values And Practices of Adolescents: The Case of Sandford International School, Abune Gorgorios Secondary School & Kokbetsibah In Selected Secondary Schools of Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2024-10) Simret Kassaye; Teka Zewdie (PhD)This study examines the moral values and ethical practices of adolescents in three selected secondary schools in Addis Ababa: Sandford International School, Abune Gorgorios Secondary School, and Kokebe Tsibah Secondary School. The research aims to explore how different educational environments influence the moral development of students and the role of cultural, social, and institutional factors in shaping their ethical frameworks. A qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach was employed to analyze the data, which was collected through surveys and interviews with students and teachers. The QCA method allowed for the identification of patterns and variations in moral values across the three schools, considering the influence of different curricula, teaching methodologies, and community contexts. The findings reveal significant differences in the moral values and practices of students from the three schools. At Sandford International School, students strongly emphasized global citizenship and ethical reasoning, aligning with a more liberal and secular perspective. In contrast, students at Abune Gorgorios Secondary School displayed a more conservative moral outlook, influenced by traditional values and religious teachings. Meanwhile, Kokebe Tsibah Secondary School students presented a combination of both ethical approaches, but their moral decision-making was notably impacted by peer pressure and societal expectations. The study concludes that while educational settings play a pivotal role in shaping adolescents' moral values, external factors, such as family background and community norms, significantly influence their ethical practices. The research recommends that educators integrate comprehensive moral education programs that address the diverse cultural, religious, and social influences shaping students’ moral development, to promote a more holistic approach to ethical education.Item Parental Differential Treatment and Adolescents’ Adjustment: The Moderating Effects of Sibling Relationship Quality and Adolescents’ Personality(Addis Ababa University, 2024-07) Tadele Zebrea; Darge Wole(PhD)The study examined the moderating role of sibling relationship quality and adolescents' personalities in the link between parental differential treatment and adolescents‘ adjustment. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the adjustment status of adolescents and explore its relationship with parental differential treatment, sibling relationship quality, and adolescents' personality. The data were collected from 537 randomly selected adolescents from Addis Ababa. The Sibling Inventory of Differential Experience, Adjustment Inventory, Sibling Relationship Questionnaire, and Personality Inventory were used to gather data from the study participants. A correlational research design was employed to address the objectives of the study. The results indicated the prevalence of emotional, social, and educational adjustment problems among adolescents in Addis Ababa, particularly among males. Perceived Parental differential treatment was evident, with parents exhibiting differential control towards males and differential affection towards females. The correlation analysis revealed that parental affection, sibling warmth, conscientiousness, and openness to experience were negatively related to adjustment problems, whereas differential parental control, sibling conflict, and neuroticism were positively linked to poor adjustment. The finding also indicated that parental differential control negatively predicted adjustment, while openness to experience and parental affection positively predicted positive adjustment. Moreover, the study found that sibling relationship quality and adolescents' personality moderated the relationship between adjustment and parental differential treatment. Neurotic adolescents with differentially controlling parents were more susceptible to social, emotional, and educational adjustment problems. Similarly, parental control has an adverse effect on adolescents who have conflicting relationships with their siblings. Furthermore, age was found to moderate the link between parental differential treatment and adolescents‘ adjustment, but gender did not. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at improving parent-child and sibling relationships to mitigate the impact of sibling conflict and differential parental control. The findings also suggest the need for further research in this area and have practical implications for the parental treatment of siblings and counseling. Keywords: adjustment, adolescents, sibling relationship, personality, parental differential treatmentItem Physical and Sexual Abuse among Mental Health Service Users at Amanuael Mental Specialized and Eka-Kotebe General Hospitals(Addis Ababa University, 2023-06) Sara Wondwossen; Mulat Asnake (PhD)The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to investigate the experiences of physical and sexual abuse among mental health service users at Amanuael Mental Specialized and Eka Kotebe General Hospital. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with seventeen participants purposively selected due to their experiences of physical and sexual abuse, as well as staff members who witnessed such abuses. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes from the audio recordings of the interviews, which were translated into Amharic and then English. The study found that all participants reported experiencing physical and sexual abuse within the studied setting. The most common forms of physical abuse were beatings, while sexual abuse took the form of rape committed by employees. The abuse occurred within wards, toilets, and round rooms. The short- and longterm consequences of the abuse included dissatisfaction with the service, psychological distress, and fear of acceptance. The findings highlight that physical and sexual abuse is prevalent among mental health service users and has a significant impact on their well-being. To prevent future incidents, the study recommends installing cameras in all rooms and near examination rooms. However, it is important to address the root causes of abuse within mental health settings to ensure the safety and well-being of service users. Mental health providers must prioritize the prevention of abuse and maltreatment, and take steps to create a safe and supportive environment for their service users. Key word: Sexual abuse, physical abuse, service users.Item The Relationship between Adolescent’s Perception of Interparental Conflict and their Academic Performance at Don Bosco Catholic High School(Addis Ababa University, 2023-07) Yeabtsega Duche; Dame Abera (PhD)The main purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between adolescents’ perception of interparental conflict on academic performance at Don Bosco Catholic High School. It specifically looks at the relationship between academic performance and conflict property, perceived threat, and self-blame attributes of interparental conflict. Four research questions were drawn to understand this phenomenon. Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict (CPIC) and the average grade of 2022/23 was used to source the research questions. CPIC was translated into Amharic Language and pilot tested. The Cronbach alpha result of the translated test was 0.943 which signifies high reliability. Data was collected from 189 grade 11 and 12 students of Don Bosco Catholic High School. Of the 189 participants, 94 were male and 95 were female, and 35.4% of the participants were 17 years old, 48.7% were 18 years old and 15.9% were 19 years old. Frequency, Spearman’s correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze and describe the result of the research. The result of the study showed that grade 11 and 12 students in Don Bosco Catholic High School perceived interparental conflict in their homes. Furthermore, the results show that there is a significant relationship between conflict property and perceived threat and academic performance ( r=.937, p=.000 and r= .795, p= .000 respectively). In addition, academic performance is moderately related to the self-blame attribute of interparental conflict (r=.581, p= .000) . The result also shows that there is a significant difference between genders in the perception of interparental conflict . However, there is no significant difference between the ages of 17, 18 and 19 in the perception of interparental conflict. Based on this result conclusion and recommendation have been made. keywords: inter-parental conflict, conflict property, self-blame, threat, adolescents, academic performanceItem Females Psycho-Social Problems with Surviving Sexual Violence in Conflict- Affected Areas: In Case of Shewarobit Town.(Addis Ababa University, 2023-06) Yechale Yigzaw; Abera Tibebu (PhD)The purpose of this study was to discover the females psycho-social problems with surviving sexual violence in conflict-affected areas: in case of shareware town. To achieve its objectives, the study used a qualitative research approach to gather, analyses, and interpret data. As a result, the study included 11 sexual violence survivors for an in depth interview. In addition, 3 key informants were used for key informant interviews, 1 from the woreda women and children's affairs, 1 from an NGO social worker, and 1 from the health sector. The study used a phenomenological foundation to reveal whether sexual victim girls experienced sexual violence, and have different meanings towards sexual violence, DSM-5 to understand the specific psycho-social problems stated under the specific objectives. The study also used humanistic theory to understand survivors' feelings, actions, and self-image, following sexual violence, and cognitive theory to understand survivors' thoughts and feelings. The study shows survival females who are violated by sexual assault, are vulnerable to different psycho-social problems. It was also found that because of the violence and the influence of society, survival females are affected by depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, isolation, sleep disturbance, loneliness, hopelessness, suicidal attempts, and other societal and family based problems. The study, on the other hand, found the majority of the study participants did not obtain the psychological, medical, social, and spiritual assistance that they should have received to solve their difficulties. Even victims who received medical assistance could not overcome their problem because they received assistance only once. So government, religious institutions, and communities must provide psychological, social, and spiritual support to survivors. Keywords: Sexual violence, psycho social problemsItem Parent-Child Communication Strategies with Screen time Experiences of Addis Ababa Preschoolers A(Addis Ababa University, 2023-01) Heyrenas Abdela; Endalkachew Tesera (PhD)The focus of this study was to investigate Parent-Child Communication Strategies with Screen time Experiences of Addis Ababa Preschoolers. The study conducted using descriptive research design. The Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire (DSEQ) and Social Communication Skills – The Pragmatics Checklist were utilized to collect data from 52 parents of children with language delay in four therapy centers in Addis Ababa. The study used questionnaires and it was conducted using convenience sampling technique. Results indicated that parents were between the ages of 24 and above 45years (M=33years and SD=1.2). The minimum daily screen time of parents were less than 1 hour and the maximum were 3 hours (M= 1.4 hour and SD=0.87). As reported by parents, their children were between age 3 to 6 (M=4.54years and SD=1). Their language delayed children spent 2.9 hours on screen every day on average. More than 57% of their children use smartphones and TV. The average amounts of time participants spent with their children were 4.4 hours, with a standard deviation of 1.5. Mealtimes and other regular times set by the parents themselves were the main reasons (periods) why they permitted their child to use screen. The majority of participants who responded said that children will benefit from screen by learning academics and language. There was no statistically significant mean difference in parents screen time between males and females and children communication skill between boys and girls. The study concluded that parents who believe screen time has positive impact let their children to spend more time on screen. Future research is recommended for a contextualized understanding of the impact of screen devices on communication skill, as children's prolonged screen exposure has become an emerging societal concern in Ethiopia. Key words: Screen time, Communication skill, TV and smartphoneItem The Relationship Between Parental Involvement and Identity Achievement During Adolescence(Addis Ababa University, 2006-06) Jemal, ZemzemItem Effects of Teachers' Working Conditions and Perceived Organizational Support on Professional Commitment (The Case of High School Teachers in West Gojjam Zone)(Addis Ababa University, 2007-07) Addis, Zelalem; Meshesha, Ayele (PhD)The purpose of this study was to examme the effects of Perceived Organizational Support, Participation m Decision-making, Extra Role Involvement, Teaching Experience, and Feelings of Professional Community on Professional Commitment of teachers' teaching in West Gojjam Zone high schools. In developing the instruments, Cronbach's alpha reliability for each scale and item total correlations for each items were computed for pilot and alpha coefficient again for the main study. 135 randomly selected teachers and 7 principals of each from 7 randomly selected schools of the Zone were used as the sample of the study. The data were gathered with 59 close-ended items and with some open-ended questions for teachers and with semi structured interview for school principals. Pearson product moment correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple and stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The result revealed that professional commitment was positively and significantly correlated with participation in decision-making (r=.625, p<.Ol), perceived organizational support{r=.594, p<.Ol), feelings of professional community (r=. 517, p<.Ol), extra role involvement (r=.449, p<.Ol), and year of teaching experience{r=.216, p<.05). All the independent variables together contributed 44.7% {F (5. J29) =20.848, P<.OOl) to the variability in teachers' professional commitment. Participation in decision-making being the major predictor explained 39.4% (F (1,J33) =86.476, P<.OOl); extra role involvement and perceived organizational support were the second and third major predictors, respectively. The above three variables together explained about 43.9% (F(3,J3J)=34.174, P,<.OOl) of the variability. The rest two independent variables were not significant predictors of teachers' professional commitment. Hence, this study would help educational leaders, professionals, and school principals in their effort of enhancing and maintaining high school teachers' professional commitment.Item Students' Academic Achievement as A Function of Gender, Parents' Educational Background And Learning Strategies in Dessie Town High Schools(Addis Ababa University, 2005-06) Tadesse, Aemero; Andualem, Tamirie (Associate Professor)The major concern of this study was to examine how far gender, parents' educational background and learning strategy components predicted students' academic achievement. A total of 380 subjects, (188 males and 192 females) were involved in the study from Dessie Town high schools. A Likert type five point scale self-report measures and a s h ort supplementary questionnaire, which u sed to obtain demographic data, were administered. The overall academic achievement, Mathematics a chievement and Language achievement scores were obtained from school records. Correlation, t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regressions were used for analysis. Results obtained through Correlat ion analy s is portrayed that except gender, both parents' educational background and learning strategy components indicated significant association with academic a chievement. The t-tes t reve aled that the re exis ted significant average diffe rence in mathematics a chievement in favor of males and language achievement favoring females, but there was no statistically significant difference between male and female students in the overall academic achievement. Moreover, statistically s ignificant gender difference was observed in seif- regulating strategy in favor of males but no significant d~1erence was revealed in cognitive strategy u se. The ANOVA results indicated s ignificant students' academic achievement differences due to their parents' educational Ie v-:; [ differences. ' Students who come form educated Parents perform better in school than their counterparts who come from uneducated parents. Similar students' academic achievement re sults were also observed with their paternal or male guardian and maternal or female guardian educational leve ls. The multiple regression analysis displayed that both parents' educational background & learning strategy components had statistically significant contribution on s tudents' academic achievement, exp laining 88% of the variation in academic achievement. 'Of the variables treated in the study , parents' educational background was the best predicto r variable in students academic a c hievementItem Social Media and Adolescents’ Sexual Behavior in Addis Ababa: The Case of Ferehiwot No 2 Secondary and Preparatory School Students(Addis Ababa University, 2017-06) Abera, Tadesse; Desie, Yekoyealem (PhD)This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess social media and adolescents’ sexual behavior in Addis Ababa Ferehiwot No 2 secondary and preparatory school adolescent students. The study employs Use and gratification theory, social learning theory, social cognitive theory and cultivation theory to understand the issue of media content and how it influence adolescents’ sexual behavior. Both qualitative and quantitative research design was applied in this study. A stratified random sampling was applied for the sample technique and among the total of 2185 study populations 120 of them participated in this study. After followed the whole ethical procedure the data was conducted by means of questionnaire and focus group desiccation. For quantitative data collection, questionnaires were adapted and for qualitative method focus group discussion was applied. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze quantitative data and for qualitative data content analysis was applied. The finding of this study revealed that social media become extremely popular because it allows adolescents to connect in the online world to form relationship, personal issues; and also revealed a number of risks associate with social media use. Similarly the study finding ascertained that social media has contributed in enhancing or increasing the occurrence of sexually related risks like, unwanted pregnancy, sexual transmitted diseases, and abortion and school dropouts among adolescent students. Key words Social media, Adolescence and Sexual behaviorItem Psychosocial Problems and Coping Mechanisms of sexually Abused Girls in Shelter Home: The Case of Society for International Ministries (SIM) Girl’s Shelter Home Project, Addis Ababa.(Addis Ababa University, 2017-10) Markos, Simegn; Zeleke, Seleshi (PhD)The experience of child sexual abuse can leave a host of adverse behavioral, social, and psychological consequences. The main objective of the study was to explore psychosocial problems encountered by sexually abused girls and their coping mechanisms at Society for International Ministries (SIM) girl’s shelter home, Addis Ababa. These sexually abused girls usually suffer from psychosocial problems like low self-esteem, moderate level of anxiety and poor social interaction etc., and yet, these psychosocial needs of the sexually abused girls are often unconcerned by the service providers and stakeholders; as a result a number of the girls leave the project. Therefore, to understand the significant psychosocial issues of sexually abused girls, the researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods, and used different data collection instruments such as questionnaire. The age of the residents ranged between 9-26 years. For the present study (n=80) representative sample selected, 10 (Ten) participants interviewed and also key informant interviews were conducted with 5 (Five) participants. The participants of the interviews and key informant interviewees were selected using purposive sampling techniques. As well, descriptive statistics used for data summarization and presentation, the data collected from these respondents analyzed using the SPSS version 20 statistical program. The study revealed that sexually abused girls accessed all basic needs necessary to sustain their lives. Whereas, research revealed that majority of sexually abused girls have experienced psychosocial problems (low self-esteem, moderate level of anxiety and poor social interaction), because of history of sexual abuse, insecure parental relationship with service providers, lack of freedom, discrimination by community and lack of proper psychosocial services. Regarding to their coping mechanisms, most of the participants employed emotion focused coping mechanisms (talking to people, crying & bury feeling internally, and isolating themselves from social activities) and, problem focused coping mechanism (praying).Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that placing and expanding psychosocial services like applying counseling for girls, providing life skill training for care givers, having parental love, care and protection and employing proper coping mechanisms will be valuable to help them to return to a meaningful life in future. KEY WORDS, psychosocial problems, psychosocial well-being, sexually abused girls, Shelter, coping mechanismItem The Relationship between Parenting Style and Tendency to Bullying Behavior among General Secondary and Preparatory School Adolescents in Shone Town, Southern Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2018-05) Petros, Mintesnot; Desie, Yekoyealem (PhD)This study investigated the relationship between parenting style and bullying behaviour of general secondary and preparatory school adolescents in Shone town. A self-report questionnaire was used to obtain data from a sample consists of 177 both sex participants recruited from grades with the average age of 16. Results revealed that of the total 177 students: 27.6 % of the students were bullies, 45.7% were victims, and 26.5% were wittiness/bystander. Regarding the types of bullying, the most common bullying behaviour used by the bullies and experienced by the victims was verbal bullying. The findings of the study also showed that authoritative parenting style is more common among parents than other methods of parenting. Also the study revealed that there is a statistically significant relationship between parenting style and adolescents’ attitude toward bullying behaviour. When gender, age and grade level were investigated in relation to bullying, meaningful differences were found. Based on the findings, recommendations were made including that parents should be encouraged to adopt the best parenting practices in the upbringing of their children because it has been found that authoritative parenting style is the method that yields the best result in child upbringingItem Study of Psychosocial Problems Faced by Former Juvenile Delinquents in Addis Ababa(Addis Ababa University, 2016-05) Tsegay, Lemlem; Wondimu, Habtamu (Associate Professor)This study is concerned about the psychological and social problems that rehabilitated and reintegrated juveniles face. The study adopted the qualitative design of research. Six former juvenile delinquents who served time at the rehabilitation center in Addis Ababa and were released at least before six months of this study were selected by the staffs of the center and a case study of these six former juvenile delinquents was conducted including the views of professional staff members of concerned governmental offices using the semi structured interview. The collected data were categorized under thematic areas and detailed descriptions of the data were made under the themes. Findings show that rehabilitated and reintegrated juveniles delinquents face a number of psychological and social challenges. The psychological problems these group face are self-stigma (negative beliefs about one’s competence, low selfesteem and self-discrimination), guilt, shame, sadness, loneliness and anger. The finding also shows the social problems that these group face after getting back to the society are stigma, discrimination and loss of their reputation of “good girl/boy”. Moreover, the findings show that rehabilitated and reintegrated juveniles delinquents develop diverse coping mechanisms for the psychological and social problems they face.