International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 3

Number 2

June 2009

221

1 BACKGROUND AND THEORETICAL

FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY

On the occasion of the World Day of Immigrants

and Refugees in 1993, celebrated as the International

Year of the family, Pope John Paul II sounded out

this appeal: “I would like to ask all those who at all

levels are concerned with promoting the authentic

well-being of the family, to consider carefully the

problems of the immigrants, precisely in the light of

the particular difficulties which they face today.”

Also, Castro (1993) mentioned that difficulties in

married life can be a source why some couples expe-

rience problems in life and may put their lives in

danger, as well as the plight of the families of mi-

grant workers; the families of those obliged to be

away for long periods, such as sailors and all kinds

of itinerant people. In these cases, the effect of pro-

longed separation is that the wife, left behind with

the children, has to assume unaccustomed roles, like

becoming the head of the household. Here, several

problems may arise especially in the children who

grew up without the presence of their fathers.

The children of Filipino seafarers should there-

fore be responsible and well motivated towards their

studies for their parents work abroad for the sake of

their future.

According to Xin, Zhou, Bray and Kehle (2003),

behavioural dysfunction in children and adolescents

has been an important field in research. In the stud-

ies conducted by Donovan and Jessor (1985), they

have found that problem behaviours, such as sub-

stance, aggression, delinquency, and even early sex-

uality, are positively correlated with their academic

performance.

Furthermore, Jessor, Donovan, and Costa (1991)

theorize a framework for understanding the relation-

ship between problem behaviours, that is, the strong

positive association between problem behaviours

can be attributed to a single common factor, namely,

unconventionality.

Moreover, the work of Achenbach and his col-

leagues (1991), has been noted to have an important

contribution to the research on problem behaviour.

Their work has led to the distinction between inter-

Problem Behaviours Among Children of

Filipino Seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines

V.B. Jaleco, M.G. Gayo, Jr.., R. L. Pador, & R.A. Alimen

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the problem behaviours among children of Filipino

seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines. The researchers used random sampling technique to determine the 200 re-

spondents of the study. This research employed the descriptive method of analysis. The statistical tools were

frequency and rank to describe the children problem behaviours. When taken as an entire group, data showed

that the problem behaviours were self-centeredness, substance use, delinquency, and physical aggression.

When grouped according to program, the problem behaviours were self-centeredness, delinquency, physical

aggression, and substance use as reference to high school program, while those who were in college, the prob-

lem behaviours were self-centeredness, substance use, delinquency, physical aggression. When grouped ac-

cording to sibling rank, the results showed that out of the 76 eldest children, the problem behaviours were

self-centeredness, substance use, delinquency, and physical aggression. While, the problem behaviours of the

66 middle children of Filipino seafarers were self-centeredness, substance use, physical aggression, and de-

linquency. The 58 youngest children of Filipino seafarers’ problem behaviours were self-centeredness, sub-

stance use, physical aggression, and delinquency. When grouped according to gender, male children problem

behaviours were self-centeredness, delinquency, substance use, and physical aggression. And, 86 female chil-

dren problem behaviours were self-centeredness, delinquency, substance use, and physical aggression. As to

the marital status, children whose parents were living, the problem behaviour were self-centeredness, sub-

stance use, delinquency, and physical aggression. Children of Filipino seafarers who had separated parents,

the problem behaviours were self-centeredness, substance use, physical aggression, and delinquency

222

nalizing problem behaviours (i.e. withdrawn, somat-

ic complaints, anxiety and depression) and external-

izing problem behaviours (i.e. defiance, impulsivity,

disruptiveness, aggression, antisocial features and

over-activity).

The rationale of this study thus, was to ascertain

the common problem behaviours among children of

seafarers.

The conceptual framework of the study is sum-

marized in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Conceptual framework of the study

2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study was to ascertain the problem behaviours

among children of Filipino seafarers in Iloilo City,

Philippines.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the fol-

lowing questions:

1 What are the problem behaviours among children

of Filipino seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines

when taken as an entire group?

2 What are the problem behaviours among children

of Filipino seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines

when grouped according to (a) gender, (b) pro-

gram, and (c) sibling rank?

3 What are the problem behaviours among children

of Filipino Seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines

when parents are grouped according to marital

status?

3 METHOD

The researchers employed the descriptive method in

this study based on Travers (in Sevilla, 2002; Jesser,

1985) and Best and Khan (1998). The method em-

ployed was to describe problem behaviours among

children of seafarers in relation to their academic

performance.

4 RESPONDENTS

The distribution of children of seafarers according to

certain categories is presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Profile of Respondents

__________________________________________________

Category f %

__________________________________________________

Entire group 200 100

Child-related factors

A. Program

College 100 50

High school 100 50

B. Sibling rank

Eldest 76 38

Middle 66 33

Youngest 58 29

C. Gender

Male 114 57

Female 86 43

D. Parent’s Marital Status

Living Together 140 70

Separated 60 30

__________________________________________________

5 DATA-GATHERING INSTRUMENTS AND

PROCEDURES

The investigators distributed the validated instru-

ments to gather data on child and parent related-

factors, and problem behaviours among children of

seafarers in Iloilo City. To determine the problem

behaviours, the investigators used the instrument en-

titled “Problem Behaviours Evaluation Question-

naire” adapted from Donnovan and Jessor (1991)

entitled “Problem Behaviours Evaluation Rating

Scale.” The research instruments were personally

administered by the researchers to the children of

Filipino seafarers in Iloilo City, Philippines. The da-

ta gathered for this study were tabulated, analysed

and interpreted using appropriate statistical tools.

6 RESULTS

When taken as an entire group, Table 2 shows that

of the 200 children of Filipino seafarers the problem

behaviours were self-centered behaviour (f = 174,

87%), substance use (f = 15, 7.5%), delinquent be-

haviour (f = 8, 4.0%), and the least was physical ag-

gression (f = 3, 1.5%).

The data are summarised in Table 2.

Child-related factors

− Program

− Sibling Rank

−

Gender

Parent-related factor

− Marital status

Problem Behaviours

223

Table 2. Problem behaviours or respondents as an entire group

__________________________________________________

Problem behaviour f % Rank

__________________________________________________

Self-centered behaviour 174 87.0 1

Substance use 15 7.5 2

Delinquent behaviour 8 4.0 3

Physical aggression 3 1.5 4

__________________________________________________

When grouped according to program, Table 3 re-

veals that out of 100 high school children of Filipino

seafarers, the problem behaviours were self-centered

behaviour (f = 92, 92%), delinquent behaviour (f =

4, 4%), physical aggression (f = 3, 3%), and the least

was substance use (f = 2, 2%). While, 100 college

level children of Filipino seafarers revealed that their

problem behaviours were self-centered behaviour (f

= 86, 86%), substance use (f = 6, 6%), delinquent

behaviour (f = 5, 5%), and the least was physical ag-

gression (f = 3, 3%).

The data are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3. Problem Behaviours among Children of Seafarers

when Grouped According to Program

__________________________________________________

Category Problem behaviour f % Rank

__________________________________________________

High school

Self-centered behaviour 92 92 1

Delinquent behaviour 4 4 2

Physical aggression 3 3 3

Substance use 2 2 4

College

Self-centered behaviour 86 86 1

Substance use 6 6 2

Delinquent behaviour 5 5 3

Physical aggression 3 3 4

__________________________________________________

When grouped according to sibling rank, Table 4

shows that out of 76 eldest children of Filipino sea-

farers the problem behaviours were self-centered

behaviour (f = 27, 35.54%), substance use (f = 26,

34.21%), delinquent behaviour (f = 17, 22.37%), and

the least was physical aggression (f = 6, 7.89%).

While, the 66 middle children of Filipino seafarers,

the problem behaviours were self-centered behav-

iour (f = 28, 42.42%), substance use (f = 16,

24.24%), physical aggression (f =12, 18.19%), the

least was delinquent behaviour (f = 10, 15.15%).

And 58 youngest children of Filipino seafarers the

problem behaviours were self-centered behaviour (f

= 27, 46.75%), substance use (f = 23, 23%), physical

aggression (f = 6, 10.34%), and the least was delin-

quent behaviour (f = 2, 3.45%).

The data are summarized in Table 4 .

Table 4. Problem Behaviours among Children of Seafarers

when grouped according to Sibling Rank

__________________________________________________

Category Problem behaviour f % Rank

__________________________________________________

Eldest

Self-centered behaviour 27 35.54 1

Substance use 26 34.21 2

Delinquent behaviour 17 22.37 3

Physical aggression 6 7.89 4

Middle

Self-centered behaviour 28 42.42 1

Substance use 16 24.24 2

Physical aggression 12 18.19 3

Delinquent behaviour 10 15.15 4

Youngest

Self-centered behaviour 27 46.75 1

Substance use 23 39.66 2

Physical aggression 6 10.34 3

Delinquent behaviour 2 3.45 4

__________________________________________________

When grouped according to gender, Table 5

shows that of the 114 male children of Filipino sea-

farers the problem behaviours were self-centered

behaviour (f = 50, 43.86%), delinquent behaviour (f

= 36, 31.58%), substance use ( f = 18, 15.79%), and

the least was physical aggression (f = 10, 8.77%).

And, 86 female children of Filipino seafarers the

problem behaviours were self-centered behaviour ( f

= 37, 43.02%), delinquent behaviour (f = 21,

24.42%), substance use (f = 16, 18.61%), and the

least was physical aggression (f = 12, 13.95%).

The data are summarized in Table 5.

Table 5. Problem Behaviours among Children of Seafarers

when Grouped According to Gender

__________________________________________________

Category Problem behaviour f % Rank

__________________________________________________

Male

Self-centered behaviour 50 43.86 1

Delinquent behaviour 36 31.58 2

Substance use 18 15.79 3

Physical aggression 10 8.77 4

Female

Self-centered behaviour 37 43.02 1

Delinquent behaviour 21 24.42 2

Substance use 16 18.61 3

Physical aggression 12 13.95 4

__________________________________________________

When grouped according to parents’ marital sta-

tus, Table 6 shows that of the 140 children of Filipi-

no seafarers whose parents are living together, the

problem behaviours were self-centered behaviour (f

= 57, 40.72%), substance use (f = 36, 25.72%), de-

linquent behaviour (f = 27, 19.28%), and the least

was physical aggression (f = 20, 14.28%). While the

60 children of Filipino seafarers whose parents are

separated the problem behaviours were self-centered

behaviour (f = 21, 35.00%), substance use (f = 18,

30%), physical aggression (f = 16, 26.67%), and the

least was delinquent behaviour (f = 5, 8.33%).

The data are summarised in Table 6.

224

Table 6. Problem Behaviours among Children of Seafarers

when grouped according to Parents’ Marital Status

__________________________________________________

Category Problem behaviour f % Rank

__________________________________________________

Living together

Self-centered behaviour 57 40.72 1

Substance use 36 25.72 2

Delinquent behaviour 27 19.28 3

Physical aggression 20 14.28 4

Separated

Self-centered behaviour 21 35.00 1

Substance use 18 30.00 2

Physical aggression 16 26.67 3

Delinquent behaviour 5 8.33 4

__________________________________________________

7 CONCLUSIONS

In view of the findings, the following conclusions

were drawn:

Generally, the problem behaviours exhibited by

children of seafarers were self-centered behaviour,

substance use, delinquent behaviour, and the least

was physical aggression. It is also noteworthy that

respondents who are youngest have a higher per-

centage in physical aggression, as well as the high

school group, and those whose parents are separated.

8 RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings and conclusions of this study,

the researchers arrived at the following recommen-

dations:

1 To address the problems of the children of Filipi-

no seafarers, seminars, trainings, and personality

development including psychological aspects

should be given more attention by the personnel

of the guidance office.

2 Family life and marriages shall be included in the

psychology subjects of the students in college

level this could be done by Instructor’s Guide

(IG) revision.

3 Counselling program shall be conducted among

children of Filipino seafarers especially those

who pose greater behavioural problems.

4 Further studies should be conducted to ascertain

the problem behaviours among children of sea-

farers.

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Jessor, Structure of problem behaviour in adolescence and

young adulthood.

http://cecp.air.org/fba/problembehavior/main.htm

http://www.focusas.com/BehavioralDisorders.html

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/discipl.index.htm

Leigh, B.C., Morrison, D.M. (1991). Alcohol consumption and

sexual risk taking adolescents. Alcohol Health and Re-

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