ABSTRACT
The study determined the Influence of family context and peer group on secondary school student?s involvement in Deviant behavior in North East Geo Political Zone, Nigeria. As a guide, five research questions and five null hypotheses were raised. Descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Sample consisted of 2060 students drawn from a population of 25773 secondary school students in 18 public schools in the six states of the zone. Multistage and stratified random sampling procedure was adopted in selection of the sample. Structured questionnaire tagged Family Context and Peer Group Questionnaire (FCPGQ) was used for data collection. This was administered through direct delivery technique. Weighted score Mean and simple regression analysis were used in data analysis. Result of regression analysis rejected all the five null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. All predictive variables added statistically to the prediction, P < 0.5. Thus it was found out that majority of Students in the North East Geo- Political Zone belonged to the extended and polygamous family structures. Their family economic wellbeing was low, relationships in the families was neither supportive nor cohesive with parenting lacking in monitoring. It was also found out that the students tend to associate more with their peers. Thus it was concluded that family context variables and peer group collectively influenced students / children?s involvement in deviant behavior. It is recommended, among others, that parents should imbibe the practice of parental monitoring and support for children, Home economists and other educationists should constitute positive peer group associations through child friendly centers, clubs and societies as a means to curtailing child's involvement in deviant behavior. It is also recommended that government should channel its developmental programs towards empowering families by providing affordable housing, medical care, education and essential commodities.