Gender Differences in Aggressive Behaviour Among Secondary School Adolescents in Calabar, Cross River State

Aggressive behaviour in adolescents represents a significant concern for school counsellors, educators, and community stakeholders, particularly when it disrupts the learning environment and endangers the psychological safety of peers. This study examined gender differences in aggressive behaviour among secondary school adolescents in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used, with 370 students selected from ten secondary schools through stratified random sampling. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), adapted for the Nigerian adolescent context, was administered. Data were analysed using independent samples t-tests, mean scores, and chi-square tests. Findings indicated significant gender differences in the type but not necessarily the frequency of aggressive behaviour. Male students scored significantly higher on physical and verbal aggression subscales, while females showed higher scores on relational and indirect aggression. Provocation sensitivity and exposure to domestic violence were significant predictors of aggression across both genders. The study found that only 22 percent of students with high aggression scores had received any form of counselling intervention. It was recommended that school counsellors adopt gender-sensitive anger management programmes and that behaviour-focused group counselling be integrated into the school calendar. Cross River State education authorities were advised to mandate quarterly counsellor reports on student behavioural trends. Keywords: aggressive behaviour, gender differences, adolescents, secondary school, Calabar.